Vitamin-D Deficiency in Critically Ill Patients admitted to Intensive Care Unit: An Observational Study

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D (Vit-D), produced in the skin following sunlight exposure, is essential for immune modulation to its association with cancer. Despite its availability, Vit-D deficiency is prevalent and is linked to increased organ dysfunction and poor outcomes in hospitalized patients. AIMS: To determine the incidence of Vit-D deficiency, its clinical spectrum, and outcomes in critically ill ICU patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A prospective observational study was conducted in a multispecialty hospital ICU over two months (August–September 2024), involving 46 patients. Blood Vit-D and ionized calcium levels were measured on admission. Data on age, sex, comorbidities, admission reason, sequential organ failure assessment score (SOFA scores), ICU/hospital stay duration, and outcomes were analyzed. RESULTS: Of the 46 patients (27 males, 19 females; mean age: 64.39 years), hypertension (60.86%) and diabetes mellitus-II (47.82%) were the most common comorbidities. Reasons for admission included pneumonia (13 cases), cerebrovascular disease (10), and urosepsis (9). Vit-D deficiency was observed in 28 patients (60.80%), insufficiency in 15 patients (32.60%), and normal levels in only 3 patients (6.60%). Ionized calcium levels were decreased in 67.40% of patients. The average SOFA score was 3.65, ICU stay was 5.17 days, and hospital stay was 7.76 days. Mortality was 8.69% (4 patients), with 91.30% surviving (42 patients). CONCLUSIONS: Vit-D deficiency was prevalent in critically ill ICU patients, affecting 93.40% (deficient or insufficient). While the study observed no direct correlation between Vit-D levels and mortality, its impact on disease severity and hospital stay duration warrants further investigation through large multicenter studies. KEYWORDS: Vitamin D, Intensive care, Critical illness, Mortality.