Admission Vitamin D status does not predict outcome of critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation: An observational pilot study

Background and Aims: Effect of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels on the recovery of critically ill mechanically ventilated patients is unclear. Hence, this study assessed 25(OH)D levels of critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation at the time of admission to the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and its relationship with clinical outcome. Methods: In this prospective observational pilot study, forty adult patients receiving mechanical ventilation in the ICU were included. Serum 25(OH) D was assessed within 24 h of admission. Primary outcome was 30-day mortality and secondary outcomes were days on mechanical ventilation, ICU-length of stay (ICU-LOS), days to reach spontaneous breathing trial (SBT), requirement of advanced care modality and complications. Results: Seventy-five percent patients had low serum 25(OH)D (65% deficient and 10% insufficient). Between patients with low and normal vitamin D, there was no significant difference in 30-day mortality (10% vs. 16.7%; P = 0.81), days on mechanical ventilation (16.2 +/- 8.9 vs. 19.9 +/- 8.4; P = 0.23), ICU-length of stay (18.7 +/- 8.5 vs. 23.3 +/- 11.4; P = 0.28), days to reach SBT (11.5 (0-20) vs. 21 (8-30); P = 0.78), complications developed during ICU stay (P = 0.60) and need for advanced care modalities (P = 0.72). Conclusion: Low Vitamin D level at admission did not affect 30-day mortality of critically ill patients on mechanical ventilation.