Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study

IntroductionAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults, with significant inter-individual variability in clinical progression. Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium homeostasis and anti-inflammatory pathways, may be implicated in AMD path...

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Main Authors: Xu Liang, Jiaxing Wang, Yue Zhang, Hui Zheng
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Frontiers Media S.A. 2025-08-01
Series:Frontiers in Endocrinology
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Online Access:https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1635739/full
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author Xu Liang
Jiaxing Wang
Yue Zhang
Hui Zheng
author_facet Xu Liang
Jiaxing Wang
Yue Zhang
Hui Zheng
author_sort Xu Liang
collection DOAJ
description IntroductionAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults, with significant inter-individual variability in clinical progression. Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium homeostasis and anti-inflammatory pathways, may be implicated in AMD pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in AMD patients and their association with clinical phenotypes.MethodsThis single-center, cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Tianjin Eye Hospital, China, involving 210 participants (100 AMD patients and 110 healthy controls). Exclusion criteria included conditions affecting vitamin D metabolism and recent vitamin D supplementation. Comprehensive ophthalmic assessments and laboratory tests were performed. Data were analyzed using R software, employing Student’s t-tests, ANONA, chi-squared tests, Pearson correlation and linear regression models.ResultsAMD patients exhibited significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels than controls (22.98 ± 7.30 ng/mL vs. 26.12 ± 9.81 ng/mL, p=0.013). Within the AMD group, late-stage patients had lower 25(OH)D levels than early-stage patients (22.53 ± 8.14 ng/mL vs. 23.46 ± 6.36 ng/mL, p=0.019) and higher CRP levels (0.31 ± 0.19 mg/L vs. 0.17 ± 0.05 mg/L, p=0.015). ROC curve analysis indicated moderate diagnostic utility of 25(OH)D for distinguishing AMD patients from controls (AUC=0.714, 95% CI: 0.58-0.73, p<0.01), but limited ability to differentiate early vs. late-stage AMD Linear regression analysis revealed positive associations between 25(OH)D levels and apolipoprotein E (ApoE, β=0.157, p=0.04) and serum creatinine (β=0.18, p=0.02).ConclusionThis study provides evidence linking lower serum 25(OH)D levels to the presence and severity of AMD, particularly in late-stage disease.
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spelling doaj-art-e0b61d9ab56649a69592efb695ca7bfa2025-08-20T03:36:34ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Endocrinology1664-23922025-08-011610.3389/fendo.2025.16357391635739Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional studyXu Liang0Jiaxing Wang1Yue Zhang2Hui Zheng3Tianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin, ChinaBascom Palmer Eye Institute, University of Miami, Miami, FL, United StatesTianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin, ChinaTianjin Eye Hospital, Tianjin Key Lab of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Tianjin Eye Institute, Tianjin, ChinaIntroductionAge-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a leading cause of irreversible vision loss in older adults, with significant inter-individual variability in clinical progression. Vitamin D, known for its role in calcium homeostasis and anti-inflammatory pathways, may be implicated in AMD pathogenesis. This study aimed to investigate serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in AMD patients and their association with clinical phenotypes.MethodsThis single-center, cross-sectional observational study was conducted at Tianjin Eye Hospital, China, involving 210 participants (100 AMD patients and 110 healthy controls). Exclusion criteria included conditions affecting vitamin D metabolism and recent vitamin D supplementation. Comprehensive ophthalmic assessments and laboratory tests were performed. Data were analyzed using R software, employing Student’s t-tests, ANONA, chi-squared tests, Pearson correlation and linear regression models.ResultsAMD patients exhibited significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels than controls (22.98 ± 7.30 ng/mL vs. 26.12 ± 9.81 ng/mL, p=0.013). Within the AMD group, late-stage patients had lower 25(OH)D levels than early-stage patients (22.53 ± 8.14 ng/mL vs. 23.46 ± 6.36 ng/mL, p=0.019) and higher CRP levels (0.31 ± 0.19 mg/L vs. 0.17 ± 0.05 mg/L, p=0.015). ROC curve analysis indicated moderate diagnostic utility of 25(OH)D for distinguishing AMD patients from controls (AUC=0.714, 95% CI: 0.58-0.73, p<0.01), but limited ability to differentiate early vs. late-stage AMD Linear regression analysis revealed positive associations between 25(OH)D levels and apolipoprotein E (ApoE, β=0.157, p=0.04) and serum creatinine (β=0.18, p=0.02).ConclusionThis study provides evidence linking lower serum 25(OH)D levels to the presence and severity of AMD, particularly in late-stage disease.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1635739/fullage-related macular degeneration (AMD)25-hydroxyvitamin Dcalcium homeostasisbiomarkervitamin D deficiency
spellingShingle Xu Liang
Jiaxing Wang
Yue Zhang
Hui Zheng
Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study
Frontiers in Endocrinology
age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
25-hydroxyvitamin D
calcium homeostasis
biomarker
vitamin D deficiency
title Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study
title_full Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study
title_short Association of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels with age-related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates: a cross-sectional study
title_sort association of serum 25 hydroxyvitamin d levels with age related macular degeneration and its clinical correlates a cross sectional study
topic age-related macular degeneration (AMD)
25-hydroxyvitamin D
calcium homeostasis
biomarker
vitamin D deficiency
url https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fendo.2025.1635739/full
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