Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study

Abstract Objective Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been identified as a primary cause of mortality on a global scale. The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the association between serum vitamin E levels and the risk of developing CVDs, with the aim of identifying pot...

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Main Authors: Jian Li, Changqing Li, Lin Tao, Lei Wang, Gang Wang, Youqi Kong, Lichun Zhou
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-07-01
Series:BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Subjects:
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04779-5
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author Jian Li
Changqing Li
Lin Tao
Lei Wang
Gang Wang
Youqi Kong
Lichun Zhou
author_facet Jian Li
Changqing Li
Lin Tao
Lei Wang
Gang Wang
Youqi Kong
Lichun Zhou
author_sort Jian Li
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Objective Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been identified as a primary cause of mortality on a global scale. The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the association between serum vitamin E levels and the risk of developing CVDs, with the aim of identifying potential risk thresholds. Methods Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2002, we included 3,516 adult participants. Serum vitamin E concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and CVDs status was assessed through medical questionnaires and interviews. Multivariable logistic regression and segmented linear models analyzed the association between serum vitamin E and CVDs risk. Results A J-shaped relationship between serum vitamin E and CVDs risk was observed. Segmented linear regression revealed a nonlinear association between vitamin E concentration and CVDs incidence. At low concentrations (below 85.24 µg/dL), although the OR suggested a potential protective trend (OR: 0.968, 95% CI: 0.926–1.011), this association did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.1422), indicating no conclusive evidence of risk reduction. Beyond this threshold, CVDs risk significantly increased (OR: 1.056, 95% CI: 1.003–1.112, P = 0.0377). Notably, the high-concentration group demonstrated a substantially elevated CVDs risk, with a 4.18-fold increase (OR: 4.18, 95% CI: 2.84–6.16, P < 0.0001). Conclusion Maintaining serum vitamin E levels within an optimal range is crucial for reducing CVDs risk. The study reveals the complex nonlinear relationship between vitamin E concentration and disease risk, providing important insights for clinical practice and public health strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-a62ea4d9ef03498b889d0cf49500e7632025-08-20T04:01:24ZengBMCBMC Cardiovascular Disorders1471-22612025-07-012511910.1186/s12872-025-04779-5Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional studyJian Li0Changqing Li1Lin Tao2Lei Wang3Gang Wang4Youqi Kong5Lichun Zhou6Beijing Chao Yang Hospital, Department of Neurology, Capital University of Medical SciencesBeijing Chao Yang Hospital, Department of Neurology, Capital University of Medical SciencesDepartment of Neurology, Yuncheng City Central HospitalDepartment of Neurology, Yuncheng City Central HospitalDepartment of Neurology, Hebei North University First HospitalBeijing Chao Yang Hospital, Department of Neurology, Capital University of Medical SciencesBeijing Chao Yang Hospital, Department of Neurology, Capital University of Medical SciencesAbstract Objective Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) has been identified as a primary cause of mortality on a global scale. The present study was conducted with the objective of investigating the association between serum vitamin E levels and the risk of developing CVDs, with the aim of identifying potential risk thresholds. Methods Using National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) data from 1999 to 2002, we included 3,516 adult participants. Serum vitamin E concentrations were measured by high-performance liquid chromatography, and CVDs status was assessed through medical questionnaires and interviews. Multivariable logistic regression and segmented linear models analyzed the association between serum vitamin E and CVDs risk. Results A J-shaped relationship between serum vitamin E and CVDs risk was observed. Segmented linear regression revealed a nonlinear association between vitamin E concentration and CVDs incidence. At low concentrations (below 85.24 µg/dL), although the OR suggested a potential protective trend (OR: 0.968, 95% CI: 0.926–1.011), this association did not reach statistical significance (P = 0.1422), indicating no conclusive evidence of risk reduction. Beyond this threshold, CVDs risk significantly increased (OR: 1.056, 95% CI: 1.003–1.112, P = 0.0377). Notably, the high-concentration group demonstrated a substantially elevated CVDs risk, with a 4.18-fold increase (OR: 4.18, 95% CI: 2.84–6.16, P < 0.0001). Conclusion Maintaining serum vitamin E levels within an optimal range is crucial for reducing CVDs risk. The study reveals the complex nonlinear relationship between vitamin E concentration and disease risk, providing important insights for clinical practice and public health strategies.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04779-5Vitamin ECardiovascular diseasesNonlinear relationshipThreshold effectNHANESCross-sectional study
spellingShingle Jian Li
Changqing Li
Lin Tao
Lei Wang
Gang Wang
Youqi Kong
Lichun Zhou
Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study
BMC Cardiovascular Disorders
Vitamin E
Cardiovascular diseases
Nonlinear relationship
Threshold effect
NHANES
Cross-sectional study
title Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study
title_full Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study
title_short Serum vitamin E and cardiovascular diseases risk: a J-shaped association in a large cross-sectional study
title_sort serum vitamin e and cardiovascular diseases risk a j shaped association in a large cross sectional study
topic Vitamin E
Cardiovascular diseases
Nonlinear relationship
Threshold effect
NHANES
Cross-sectional study
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12872-025-04779-5
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