Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
<h4>Background</h4>Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Vitamin D has been identified as contributing environmental risk factor, with higher prevalence at latitudes further from the equator. Mongolia, at 45°N, has limited sunlight exposure, increa...
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| Main Authors: | , , , , , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
Public Library of Science (PLoS)
2025-01-01
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| Series: | PLoS ONE |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317279 |
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| Summary: | <h4>Background</h4>Multiple sclerosis (MS) onset is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Vitamin D has been identified as contributing environmental risk factor, with higher prevalence at latitudes further from the equator. Mongolia, at 45°N, has limited sunlight exposure, increasing the population's risk for vitamin D deficiency.<h4>Objectives</h4>To compare vitamin D levels between persons with MS (pwMS) and persons without MS and to identify factors associated with low vitamin D.<h4>Methods</h4>We investigated associations with vitamin D levels using data from MS cases and controls from Mongolia. We used linear mixed-effects regression with fixed effects (case status, sociodemographics, and predefined variables) and participant-specific random intercepts.<h4>Results</h4>Of 62 participants (31 pwMS, 31 controls), pwMS had lower summer [median 23.00 ng/ml (interquartile range 11.30-31.50) vs. 25.00 ng/ml (19.25-32.00)] and winter vitamin D levels [21.00 ng/ml (10.60-27.60) vs. 23.50 ng/ml (15.55-28.60)], with a smaller seasonal decline. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in pwMS. None of these findings reached statistical significance. Winter season and being breastfed as a child were associated with significantly lower vitamin D levels.<h4>Conclusion</h4>Vitamin D deficiency was common among pwMS, which could be influenced by behavioural factors. These findings may inform more targeted recommendations for pwMS to maintain sufficient vitamin D levels. |
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| ISSN: | 1932-6203 |