association of serum vitamin D concentrations < 40 nmol/L with acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men

BACKGROUND:The effects of vitamin D in regulating bone mineralization are well documented. The action of vitamin D as a key link between Toll-like receptor activation and antibacterial responses in innate immunity has recently been shown. The data suggest that differences in the ability of human populations to produce vitamin D may contribute to susceptibility to microbial infection. OBJECTIVE:We aimed to explore whether an association exists between vitamin D insufficiency and acute respiratory tract infection in young Finnish men. DESIGN:Young Finnish men (n = 800) serving on a military base in Finland were enrolled for this study. Their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin [25(OH)D] concentrations were measured in July 2002. They were followed for 6 mo, and the number of days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection were counted. RESULTS:The mean (± SD) serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 80.2 ± 29.3 nmol/L (n = 756). Subjects with serum 25(OH)D concentrations < 40 nmol/L (n = 24) had significantly (P = 0.004) more days of absence from duty due to respiratory infection (median: 4; quartile 1-quartile 3: 2-6) than did control subjects (2; 0-4; n = 628; incidence rate ratio 1.63; 95% CI: 1.15, 2.24). We found a significant (P = 0.004) association between serum 25(OH)D concentrations and the amount of physical exercise before induction into military service. We also found significantly (P < 0.001) lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations in subjects who smoked (72.8 ± 26.6 nmol/L; n = 192) than in control subjects (82.9 ± 29.7 nmol/L; n = 537). CONCLUSION:Clinical trials of vitamin D supplementation are needed to investigate whether it enhances immunity to microbial infections.