Vitamin D Deficiency and Death?

In an 11-year observational study among critically ill patients, hypovitaminosis D was a risk factor for positive blood cultures, sepsis, and mortality.

Although 25-hydroxyvitamin D (cholecalciferol) was once believed to be involved only in calcium metabolism and bone growth, we now know that it has pleiotropic effects on immune, endothelial, and mucosal functions. In a recent retrospective study, investigators examined the effect of vitamin D deficiency on disease course in critically ill patients. Participants were 2399 adults treated in an intensive care unit (ICU) at either of two Boston medical centers between November 1997 and April 2009. All had vitamin D levels measured ≤1 year before admission.

Mean age was 64.9, and mean vitamin D level was 26.4 ng/mL. Most of the vitamin D measurements occurred ≤6 months before admission (29.8% ≤1 month, 51.6% ≤3 months, and 73.3% ≤6 months). Vita…

Reviewing Author

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Thomas Glück, MD

Disclosures

Editorial BoardsConsilium Infectiorum by InfectoPharm, Infection

Vitamin D Deficiency and Death?

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