Impact of Vitamin D Deficiency on the Efficacy of Atorvastatin in Iraqi Patients with Dyslipidemia

Dyslipidemia is an abnormal elevation of lipid levels in the blood, which may involve cholesterol and triglycerides. The response of dyslipidemia to statin therapy is diverse, ranging from 5-70% and this may be related to vitamin D3 deficiency. A study aims to assess the effect of vitamin D3 deficiency on the therapeutic response to atorvastatin. The cohort study involved 243 dyslipidemic patients who received different doses of atorvastatin according to the 2018 American Heart Association/American College of Cardiology cholesterol guidelines. The serum lipid profile level, vitamin D3, and atherogenic index were measured. The serum level of Total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol, and atherogenic index were significantly reduced, and the serum level of high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol was elevated considerably in the responded patients compared to the non-responded patients at P <0.05. The serum level of vitamin D3 was significantly low in the non-responded patients compared to respond patients at P <0.05. There was a significant association between vitamin D3 deficiency (95% CI 0.759 – 0.849) and a decrease in the efficacy of atorvastatin at P <0.05. In conclusion, Vitamin D3 deficiency significantly reduces the effectiveness of atorvastatin (ATO) in Iraqi patients with dyslipidemia.