Abstract
Background: Serum vitamin D-, magnesium- and calcium deficiency may be associated with an increased exacerbation risk in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). However, associations with other aspects of COPD, e.g. lung function and quality of life (QoL), have been studied less extensively.
Aim: To investigate serum vitamin D, magnesium and calcium in COPD and the associations between these three parameters and FEV1 and QoL.
Methods: FEV1 and serum vitamin D, magnesium and calcium were measured during summer 2012. Generic and health related QoL were characterized.
Results: This cross-sectional study included 143 patients with COPD. Women had a significantly higher serum vitamin D than men (P=0.0028), and 27 % of participants were vitamin D insufficient.
Lung function, measured as FEV1, was not correlated with serum vitamin D3, magnesium or calcium in COPD. Magnesium insufficiency group reported significantly impaired mobility, usual activitis, pain/discomfort and COPD-related QoL. Vitamin D and calcium were not associated with QoL.
Discussion: Serum levels of vitamin D, magnesium and calcium were not related to FEV1. Most patients in this study were serum vitamin D-, magnesium- and calcium sufficient. Women had higher serum vitamin D than men.
Serum magnesium was associated with QoL in COPD. No associations were seen between QoL and serum vitamin D and calcium.
Prospective randomized studies are needed to substantiate these findings.
- © 2014 ERS
