False negative effect of high triglycerides concentration on vitamin D levels: A big data study

Background: Inaccurate test results may be a reason why vitamin D deficiency is seen as a common problem worldwide. Interferences from the sample matrix during testing are the most important factors in measurement errors. In this study, the relationship between triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and vitamin D levels in Turkey was investigated. Methods: The 25-hydroxyvitamin D test results and lipid test results studied in Turkey in 2021 were compared. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health National Health Database. Simultaneously, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were studied, and 1,135,644 test results were taken as the basis. Results: In the group of patients with total cholesterol levels between 0-10.33 mmol/L, the proportion of patients below 20 mg/L ranged from 56.8% to 61.8%. In the patient group with cholesterol between 10.36-259 mmol/L, the rate of patients with less than 20 mg/L was between 70.8-100%, while the rate of patients with cholesterol above 100 mg/L was 0%. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 20.1 mg/L in the patient group with a total cholesterol level between 0-10.33 mmol/L, and 16 mg/L in the patient group with a cholesterol level above 10.36 mmol/L. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 20.11 mg/L in the patient group with triglycerides 0-10.16 mmol/L, and the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 12.28 mg/L in the patient group with triglycerides 10.17-113 mmol/L. The proportion of patients with vitamin D levels above 100 mg/L was found to be 0% in the group of patients with triglycerides above 10.17-113 mmol/L. Conclusions: According to this study, there is a risk of toxicity when administering vitamin D therapy in patients with high cholesterol and triglycerides levels. This study is the first of this size in the literature. High triglycerides and cholesterol levels can cause inaccurate measurement of vitamin D levels, so care should be taken when evaluating these tests

False negative effect of high triglycerides concentration on vitamin D levels: A big data study

Background: Inaccurate test results may be a reason why vitamin D deficiency is seen as a common problem worldwide. Interferences from the sample matrix during testing are the most important factors in measurement errors. In this study, the relationship between triglycerides and total cholesterol levels and vitamin D levels in Turkey was investigated. Methods: The 25-hydroxyvitamin D test results and lipid test results studied in Turkey in 2021 were compared. Data were obtained from the Ministry of Health National Health Database. Simultaneously, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, triglyceride, and total cholesterol levels were studied, and 1,135,644 test results were taken as the basis. Results: In the group of patients with total cholesterol levels between 0-10.33 mmol/L, the proportion of patients below 20 mg/L ranged from 56.8% to 61.8%. In the patient group with cholesterol between 10.36-259 mmol/L, the rate of patients with less than 20 mg/L was between 70.8-100%, while the rate of patients with cholesterol above 100 mg/L was 0%. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 20.1 mg/L in the patient group with a total cholesterol level between 0-10.33 mmol/L, and 16 mg/L in the patient group with a cholesterol level above 10.36 mmol/L. The mean 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 20.11 mg/L in the patient group with triglycerides 0-10.16 mmol/L, and the 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 12.28 mg/L in the patient group with triglycerides 10.17-113 mmol/L. The proportion of patients with vitamin D levels above 100 mg/L was found to be 0% in the group of patients with triglycerides above 10.17-113 mmol/L. Conclusions: According to this study, there is a risk of toxicity when administering vitamin D therapy in patients with high cholesterol and triglycerides levels. This study is the first of this size in the literature. High triglycerides and cholesterol levels can cause inaccurate measurement of vitamin D levels, so care should be taken when evaluating these tests

Trends in heart failure between 2016 and 2022 in Türkiye (TRends-HF): a nationwide retrospective cohort study of 85 million individuals across entire population of all ages

Background: Data on the burden of heart failure (HF) outside western countries are limited, but available data suggest it may present differently in other countries. The aim of this study was to examine the incidence, prevalence, and survival rates of HF in Türkiye, with a specific focus on how these rates vary according to age, sex, comorbidities, and socioeconomic status (SES). Methods: We harnessed the extensive National Electronic Database of the Turkish Ministry of Health, covering Turkey's entire population from January 1, 2016, to December 31, 2022, to identify 2,722,151 cases of HF and their associated comorbidities using ICD-10 codes. Analyzing the primary endpoint of all-cause mortality, our study utilized anonymized data to examine patient demographics, comorbidities, socioeconomic status, and survival patterns, employing statistical techniques to delve into relationships and trends. The data were segmented by gender, socioeconomic status, and age, involving cross-tabulations and statistical metrics to explore connections, odds ratios, and survival rates. Findings: The estimated prevalence of HF was 2.114% in Türkiye at the end of 2022, with an annual incidence ranging between 3.00 and 6.06 per 1000 person years. Females were older than males (69.8 ± 13.9 years vs. 66.8 ± 13.9 years, respectively). The most common comorbidities were congenital heart diseases and anemia under the age of 20, and hypertension and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease in the adult population. Only 23.6% (643,159/2,722,151) of patients were treated with any triple guideline-directed medical therapy (GDMT) and 3.6% (96,751/2,722,151) of patients were on quadruple GDMT. The survival rates for patients with HF at 1, 5, and 7 years were 83.3% (95% CI: 83.2–83.3), 61.5% (95% CI: 61.4–61.6), and 57.7% (95% CI: 57.6–57.8) among females, and 82.1% (95% CI: 82.0–82.2), 58.2% (95% CI: 58.1–58.3), and 54.2% (95% CI: 54.0–54.3) among males. Despite a tendency for an increase from the highest to the lowest SES, the prevalence of HF and mortality were paradoxically lowest in the lowest SES region. Interpretation: The prevalence, incidence, and survival rates of HF in Türkiye were comparable to western countries, despite the notable difference of HF onset occurring 8–10 years earlier in the Turkish population. Drug usage statistics indicate there is a need for effective strategies to improve treatment with GDMT. Funding: None