Abstract

Atherosclerosis is a chronic inflammatory process that leads to narrowing of the arteries due to the accumulation of plaque on the walls of the arteries. Carotid Intima Media Thickness (CIMT) is a marker which provides valuable information on the risk of atherosclerosis. It is an inexpensive tool to monitor arrest, progression or regression of the plaque formation. Vitamin D concentration, despite crucial role and pleiotropic activity of the micronutrient, is often grossly insufficient. The association between vitamin D deficiency and CIMT development has been indicated in multiple research studies. The aim of this study was to collect literature data describing the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and CIMT evolution in various diseases. Original articles for the preparation of this manuscript were extracted from PubMed and Cochrane databases. After careful consideration, 44 original papers from the initial number of 64 articles were included in the analysis. Articles classified as randomized clinical trials, cross-sectional studies, case control studies and cohort studies We observed numerous contradictions in collected results. These contradicting results may be caused by comparing articles that very often are related to populations with different baseline characteristics of the studied populations. Incoherent results have led to the conclusion that further research is required to assess the association between analyzed factors.

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