Hypertriglyceridemia in relation to vitamin D deficiency in Wasit province: A cross-sectional analysis

Hypertriglyceridemia (HTG) and vitamin D deficiency (VDD) are interrelated public health challenges with shared implications for metabolic and cardiovascular health. While HTG is a well-established risk factor for atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) and pancreatitis, VDD has emerged as a potential modulator of lipid metabolism through mechanisms involving insulin resistance, adipokine dysregulation, and hepatic lipid synthesis. This cross-sectional study investigates the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and fasting triglycerides (TG) in a cohort of 500 adults (aged 25-65 years) from an urban population. Participants underwent comprehensive metabolic profiling, including fasting lipid panels and 25(OH)D quantification via chemiluminescent immunoassay. Statistical analyses included Pearson’s correlation, multiple linear regression adjusted for age, sex, body mass index (BMI), and dietary fat intake, and stratified analyses by sex and 25(OH)D tertiles. A significant inverse correlation was observed between 25(OH)D and TG levels (r = -0.45, p< 0.001), with each 10 nmol/L increase in 25(OH)D associated with a 0.38 mmol/L reduction in TG after multivariable adjustment. Stratified analyses revealed stronger associations in females (r = -0.48) compared to males (r = -0.42), though both were statistically significant (p< 0.001). Furthermore, participants in the lowest 25(OH)D tertile (25 nmol/L). Dietary fat intake modified the relationship, with higher fat consumption attenuating the protective effect of vitamin D. These findings suggest that VDD may exacerbate HTG through mechanisms independent of traditional risk factors, highlighting the need for randomized controlled trials to evaluate vitamin D supplementation as a therapeutic adjunct for lipid management.