A Clinical Advisor report examines new research that shows a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and a higher rate of obstructive sleep apnea.
Researchers in Dublin, Ireland reported the higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with OSA. Of the Caucasian adults recruited, 98% of participants with OSA were found to have the deficiency. Polysomnography was used to identify participants with OSA while blood samples were collected to identify participants with vitamin D deficiency. Researchers found that participants with the severe OSA had the greatest vitamin D deficiency. Although the authors pointed out that Dublin sits at high latitude and has limited sunshine, other studies have shown similar findings. Other researchers have also recently found that vitamin D can significantly reduce heart rate.
