Sixty-six adult surgical intensive care unit patients who had 25-hydroxyvitamin D serum levels evaluated from January 2010 to February 2011 were prospectively identified. Patients were divided into groups according to vitamin D level (<20 vs 鈮?0 ng/mL).
Of the 66 patients evaluated, 49 (74%) had vitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL, and 17 (26%) had vitamin D levels 鈮?20 ng/mL. Patients with vitamin D levels < 20 versus 鈮?20 ng/mL had longer lengths of hospital stay. Lengths of intensive care unit stay were clinically longer, although not significant. Infection rates tended to be higher (P = .09), and a higher incidence of sepsis was seen in the patients with vitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL.
Vitamin D levels < 20 ng/mL have a significant impact on length of stay, organ dysfunction, and infection rates. More data are needed on the value of supplementation to improve these outcomes.