Vitamin D Status in Patients at the Department of Internal, Autoimmune, and Metabolic Diseases-A Descriptive Cross-Sectional Study.

Background

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in numerous physiological systems, including the muscular, immune, and endocrine systems, as well as calcium and bone homeostasis. Vitamin D deficiency, a global health problem affecting billions of people, is associated with adverse health outcomes and can serve as a marker for health status, disease severity, and length of hospital stay (LOS). Nutritional supplementation has been shown to be highly beneficial and is strongly recommended.

Methods

In this study, the medical records of 834 hospitalized patients were retrospectively analyzed, with a focus on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels. The patients were divided into groups based on serum vitamin D levels: deficient, suboptimal, adequate, and high. Correlations between vitamin D levels, LOS, laboratory parameters, comorbidities, seasonal variations, medical diagnosis of deficiency, and supplementation were examined.

Results

Vitamin D deficiency was common and associated with a longer LOS. Women had higher vitamin D levels than men. No seasonal variation was observed. Only 14% of the patients took supplements before hospitalization, and 61% of the patients with vitamin D deficiency received supplementation.

Conclusions

Routine vitamin D screening, tailored supplementation, and increased public awareness are essential to reduce hospitalizations, improve treatment outcomes, and promote independence among at-risk groups.