PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D LEVEL IN CRITICALLY ILL PATIENTS AND ITS CORRELATION WITH PATIENT OUTCOME

Abstract

Background: In critically ill patients, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency has been found to range from 26% to 80%. In critically ill patients, this deficiency may exacerbate existing immunological and metabolic dysfunctions, resulting in poorer outcomes.

Aims and objectives: To study the prevalence of vitamin D level and its correlation with patient outcome.

Materials and Methods: A single-center, prospective observational study was performed, including 96 patients aged >18 years admitted to Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) of Netaji Subhash Chandra Medical College Jabalpur from January 2018 to September 2019. Age, sex, Sequential organ failure assessment (SOFA) score, serum bilirubin, serum glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (SGOT), serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase (SGPT), serum creatinine, total leucocyte count, platelets count, serum calcium, random blood sugar, glasgow coma scale, the requirement of mechanical ventilation, and mortality were recorded. Vitamin D level was estimated and categorized into deficiency [Serum levels of 25(OH)D < 20 ng/mL], insufficiency [levels of 25(OH)D = 20–30 ng/mL], and sufficiency [25(OH)D >30 ng/mL].

Results: Prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency, and sufficiency was 57.3%, 19.8%, and 22.9%, respectively. Vitamin D deficient patients have a higher SOFA score (a score of >10) (p<0.0001), required more mechanical ventilation (p=0.014), and higher risk of death (p=0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in mostly 31 to 60 years of age group patients (p=0.009).

Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among critically ill patients and is more common in those with higher SOFA scores, the requirement of mechanical ventilation, death, and old age.

Keywords: vitamin D deficiency, critically ill patients, mortality, SOFA score