Vitamin D in acutely ill patients

OBJECTIVE: To investigate 25(OH)D(3) levels and their relationship to survival in a cohort of acutely ill patients on admission to an intensive care unit. METHODS: This study enrolled acutely ill patients at admission to an intensive care unit and a group of sex- and age-matched healthy control subjects. The 25(OH)D(3) levels were measured using an enzyme immunoassay. C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels were also measured using immunoassays. RESULTS: A total of 50 acutely ill patients and 50 healthy control subjects were enrolled in the study. The mean ± SEM 25(OH)D(3) levels were significantly lower in the acutely ill patients compared with the control group (11.74 ± 0.88 ng/ml versus 24.66 ± 1.60 ng/ml, respectively). The 25(OH)D(3) levels were not related to survival. An inverse relationship was observed between 25(OH)D(3) levels and C-reactive protein levels. A weak inverse relationship was also observed between 25(OH)D(3) levels and procalcitonin levels. CONCLUSIONS: The 25(OH)D(3) levels were decreased in acutely ill patients admitted to an intensive care unit compared with healthy control subjects. 25(OH)D(3) levels may be inversely related to C-reactive protein and procalcitonin levels.