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: Myadagmaa Jaalkhorol, Amarsaikhan Dashtseren, Gantuya Magnaibayar, Badrangui Bat-Orgil, Ikuo Tsunoda, Shiirevnyamba Avirmed, Stefania Iaquinto, Viktor von Wyl
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Public Library of Science (PLoS) 2025-01-01
Series:PLoS ONE
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317279
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author Myadagmaa Jaalkhorol
Amarsaikhan Dashtseren
Gantuya Magnaibayar
Badrangui Bat-Orgil
Ikuo Tsunoda
Shiirevnyamba Avirmed
Stefania Iaquinto
Viktor von Wyl
author_facet Myadagmaa Jaalkhorol
Amarsaikhan Dashtseren
Gantuya Magnaibayar
Badrangui Bat-Orgil
Ikuo Tsunoda
Shiirevnyamba Avirmed
Stefania Iaquinto
Viktor von Wyl
author_sort Myadagmaa Jaalkhorol
collection DOAJ
description <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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spelling doaj-art-9cacd18c86194f7babfdf493dc29748a2025-08-20T03:52:28ZengPublic Library of Science (PLoS)PLoS ONE1932-62032025-01-01201e031727910.1371/journal.pone.0317279Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.Myadagmaa JaalkhorolAmarsaikhan DashtserenGantuya MagnaibayarBadrangui Bat-OrgilIkuo TsunodaShiirevnyamba AvirmedStefania IaquintoViktor von Wyl<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.https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317279
spellingShingle Myadagmaa Jaalkhorol
Amarsaikhan Dashtseren
Gantuya Magnaibayar
Badrangui Bat-Orgil
Ikuo Tsunoda
Shiirevnyamba Avirmed
Stefania Iaquinto
Viktor von Wyl
Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
PLoS ONE
title Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
title_full Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
title_fullStr Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
title_short Factors associated with vitamin D levels in Mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis.
title_sort factors associated with vitamin d levels in mongolian patients with multiple sclerosis
url https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0317279
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