Genetically predicted lifelong circulating 25(OH)D levels are associated with serum calcium levels and kidney stone risk.

To assess whether lifelong higher circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels increase serum calcium levels and kidney stone disease (KSD) risk.

Summary data for KSD were obtained from the UK biobank genome-wide association study (6,536 cases and 388,508 controls). We acquired summary data for 25(OH)D from 120,618 Europeans and another large-scale analysis (443,734 Europeans) for primary and secondary analysis. Random-effect inverse-variance weighted (IVW) and seven additional sensitivity analyses were applied. Next, multivariable Mendelian randomization (MVMR) was performed by introducing data for serum calcium levels.

Genetic predisposition for a per 1-standard deviation (SD) higher 25(OH)D level was associated with increased serum calcium levels (IVW; beta, 0.014; 95% CI 0.010-0.018; p=7.64E-10). Genetically predicted higher circulating 25(OH)D levels were associated with increased the risk of KSD, with per 1-SD ORs of 1.47 (95% CI 1.22-1.77; p=5.49E-05) and 1.36 (95% CI 1.03-1.80; p=0.029) using the IVW and MVMR-Egger methods, respectively. In secondary analysis, similar results were found: 25(OH)D was associated with an increased risk of KSD in univariate Mendelian randomization (IVW; OR 1.71; 95% CI 1.26-2.32; p=0.001) and MVMR (OR 1.43; 95% CI 1.16-1.76; p <0.001) analyses. Most sensitivity analyses were consistent with the primary results, both for the primary and secondary analyses.

Our study supports that higher genetically predicted lifelong circulating 25(OH)D levels are associated with higher calcium levels and KSD risk. The effects of 25(OH)D on KSD were partially attenuated - but still significant - in MVMR.

The Journal of clinical endocrinology and metabolism. 2021 Oct 20 [Epub ahead of print]

Zhongyu Jian, Yu Huang, Yazhou He, Xi Jin, Hong Li, Sheyu Li, Kunjie Wang

Department of Urology, Institute of Urology (Laboratory of Reconstructive Urology), West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, People's Republic of China., Guangdong Eye Institute, Department of Ophthalmology, Guangdong Provincial People's Hospital, Guangdong Academy of Medical Sciences, Guangzhou, China., West China School of Public Health and West China Fourth Hospital, Sichuan University, China., Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China.