# Association between dietary niacin intake and mortality among US individuals with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: data from the national health and nutrition examination survey 1999–2018

## TL;DR

This study found that higher niacin intake is linked to lower mortality in people with COPD, based on data from a large health survey.

## Contribution

The study provides novel evidence on the association between dietary niacin and reduced mortality risk in COPD patients.

## Key findings

- A 10 mg/day increase in niacin intake was linked to 12% lower all-cause mortality and 13% lower CVD mortality.
- High niacin intake group had a 33% lower all-cause mortality risk and 47% lower CVD mortality risk compared to low intake group.
- Survival rates were higher in the high-niacin group according to Kaplan-Meier curves.

## Abstract

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is a long-lasting condition that significantly hinders respiratory function. Niacin, a crucial nutrient in the diet, is essential for maintaining general health. However, research on the effects of niacin on the mortality risk among individuals with COPD is sparse. Hence, this study aims to investigate the relationship between dietary niacin intake and mortality within this specific cohort of individuals.

A total of 3,674 self-reported COPD individuals from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) 1999–2018 were included in this study. The Cox proportional hazards model assessed the association between niacin intake and all-cause/cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality. Kaplan–Meier curves illustrated survival based on niacin intake. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were conducted to assess the robustness of the results. During an average follow-up period of 8.3 years, 1,085 all-cause deaths occurred, including 323 CVD-related deaths. A 10 mg/day niacin increase was associated with a 12% lower all-cause and 13% lower CVD mortality risk. Compared to the low dietary niacin intake group, the high intake group had a hazard ratio (HR) of 0.67 (95% CI: 0.56–0.82, p < 0.001) for all-cause mortality and 0.53 (95% CI: 0.37–0.77, p = 0.001) for CVD mortality. Kaplan–Meier survival curves indicated higher survival rates in the high-niacin group.

A higher dietary intake of niacin was associated with lower all-cause and CVD mortality among individuals with COPD.