Association Between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Physical Outcomes of Patients Who Underwent Rehabilitation Following Ischemic Stroke

BACKGROUND: Ischemic stroke is the most common cause of disability in adults. Deficiency of vitamin D in patients with cardiovascular diseases is increasing. Only a few studies have assessed the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and functional capacity and degree of disability. This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and physical outcomes of 94 patients who underwent physical rehabilitation following ischemic stroke. MATERIAL/METHODS: A group of 94 patients was enrolled; however, 80 patients (61.8±6.9 years) were included. They underwent a 6-week rehabilitation using proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF, 60 min daily), mirror therapy (MT, 30 min daily), and occupational therapy (OT, 45 min daily). The Barthel Index (BI) and modified Rankin scale (mRS) were used for functional assessments. Laboratory blood tests for serum vitamin D and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) levels were conducted. RESULTS: There was a significant increase in BI scores (median difference=2.0 points [pts]; P<0.001) and IGF levels (median difference=124.6 ng/ml; P<0.001) after rehabilitation. There was a significant decrease in mRS scores (median difference=7.0 pts; P<0.001), but there was no significant difference in vitamin D levels (P=0.40). The effect of age (B=−0.01, P=0.04) and serum vitamin D level (B=−0.02, P=0.01) on the BI score was demonstrated. The effect of body mass index (BMI) results (B=−0.07, P=0.02) on the mRS score was observed. CONCLUSIONS: Lower serum vitamin D levels and more advanced age may be associated with worse functional outcomes in first-ever ischemic stroke patients.