Prediabetes and prehypertension in healthy adults are associated with low vitamin D levels.

Objective: To determine whether modest elevations of fasting serum glucose (FSG) and resting blood pressure (BP) in healthy adults are associated with differential serum vitamin D concentrations.

Research Design And Methods: Disease-free adults in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2001-2006 were assessed. Prediabetes (PreDM) and prehypertension (PreHTN) were diagnosed using American Diabetes Association and Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure criteria: FSG 100-125 mg/dL and systolic BP 120-139 mmHg and/or diastolic BP 80-89 mmHg. Logistic regression was used to assess the effects of low vitamin D levels on the odds for PreDM and PreHTN in asymptomatic adults (n = 1,711).

Results: The odds ratio for comorbid PreDM and PreHTN in Caucasian men (n = 898) and women (n = 813) was 2.41 (P < 0.0001) with vitamin D levels ≤ 76.3 versus >76.3 nmol/L after adjusting for age, sex, and BMI.

Conclusions: This study strengthens the plausibility that low serum vitamin D levels elevate the risk for early-stage diabetes (PreDM) and hypertension (PreHTN).