Research Paper Title

Genetically Low Vitamin D Concentrations and Increased Mortality: Mendelian Randomisation Analysis in Three Large Cohorts.

Study Question

Are genetically low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations associated with increased mortality when a mendelian randomisation approach is used?

Summary Answer

Genetically low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations were associated with increased all cause mortality, cancer mortality, and other mortality but not with cardiovascular mortality.

It should be noted that the results pertain to the synthesis pathway and not the metabolic pathway.

What is Known and What This Paper Adds

Observational studies have suggested that lower levels of vitamin D are associated with increased mortality, but such associations can be difficult to interpret owing to bias and confounding. The researchers findings are compatible with the notion that genetically low 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentrations may be causally associated with cancer and other mortality, but the observational association with cardiovascular mortality could be the result of confounding.

Reference

Afzal, S., Jacobsen-Brondum, P., Bojesen, S.E. & Nordestgaard, B.G. (2014) Genetically Low Vitamin D Concentrations and Increased Mortality: Mendelian Randomisation Analysis in Three Large Cohorts. British Medical Journal. BMJ 2014;349:g6330. doi: 10.1136/bmj.g6330.