Vitamin D Deficiency Linked to Higher Risk of Varicose Veins in Large Cohort Study

A recent study has found that vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is associated with an increased risk of developing varicose veins. Conducted using data from the TriNetX Global Collaborative Network, this retrospective cohort study focused on adults aged 40 and older who had two 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements between 2010 and 2023. VDD was defined as having two measurements of 19.9 ng/mL or lower, while controls had measurements of 30.0 ng/mL or higher.

After propensity score matching, 257,651 patients were included in each cohort. The study revealed that VDD was linked to a 62% higher risk of developing varicose veins within five years (hazard ratio [HR] 1.62; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.50–1.75; p < 0.001). Additionally, the research showed increased risks for varicose veins with ulceration (HR 2.22), inflammation (HR 2.71), and complications (HR 1.45), all statistically significant with p-values less than 0.001.

Vitamin D insufficiency (defined as 20.0–29.9 ng/mL) also correlated with a heightened risk of varicose veins (HR 1.56; p < 0.001). The findings remained consistent across various sensitivity and subgroup analyses, including specific groups such as older adults and those with diabetes.

Varicose veins, a common condition affecting approximately 23% of adults in the U.S., can lead to serious complications like skin changes, thrombophlebitis, and ulcers. While many established risk factors have been documented, the role of nutritional factors like vitamin D has been less understood. This study sheds light on a potential association, though it does not establish causality. The authors suggest that further prospective studies are necessary to determine the impact of correcting VDD on venous disease risk.

Overall, the study emphasizes the importance of considering vitamin D status in evaluating the risk of venous disease, particularly in older adults and individuals with diabetes.