Levels of Vitamin D, Disease Activity and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Post-menopausal Women with Sjögren's Syndrome: Does a Link Exist?

BACKGROUND/AIM Low levels of vitamin D play a role progression of cardiovascular diseases. Knowledge lacks whether a relationship exists between vitamin D levels and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in patients with primary Sjögren's syndrome (pSS). PATIENTS AND METHODS We evaluated vitamin D levels and subclinical carotid atherosclerosis in 25 patients with pSS compared to 22 mild ostheoarthritic control patients (OCp). RESULTS Intima-media thickness (IMT) and levels of vitamin D were significantly increased and decreased in pSS, respectively. No correlation was observed between low levels of vitamin D and IMT in pSS. Significant positive correlation between disease duration and IMT and negative between vitamin D levels and increased Sjögren syndrome disease activity index (SSDAI) and syndrome disease damage index (SSDDI) were also found in pSS. CONCLUSION IMT of pSS with long disease duration is significantly increased with respect to that of OCp. Vitamin D deficiency does not play a role on IMT of pSS, whereas it plays a role in disease damage and activity. A long disease duration is associated with subclinical atherosclerosis in pSS.