Vitamin D Deficiency and Risk for Sepsis

A large observational study showed a 1.6- to 2.5-fold increased risk for sepsis and a 1.6-fold increased risk for mortality among patients with vitamin D levels ≤15 ng/mL.

Vitamin D is known to have effects on human immunity — for example, by preventing excessive cytokine release and activating the innate immune system. Studies investigating vitamin D's role in infectious diseases have yielded conflicting results but were often limited by the small number of patients studied. To investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the risk and course of sepsis, researchers reviewed records of patients admitted to a medical or surgical intensive care unit (ICU) at either of two medical centers in Boston between March 1, 1998, and January 5, 2011.

Data were analyzed for 3386 adults (mean age, 65.9) with vitamin D measurements available from <1 year before hospitalization. Fifty-six percent of the patients were wome…

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 Risk for Sepsis

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Reviewing Author