Relationship Between Vitamin D Status and ICU Outcomes in Veterans

Objective Vitamin D deficiency remains a poorly recognized pandemic and is closely linked to increased health care costs in veterans. Projected health care needs in veterans are expected to increase over the next decade. Intensive care unit (ICU) costs contribute significantly to hospital costs and stem from intervention services and management of sepsis including nosocomial infections. Vitamin D has immunomodulating and antimicrobial properties through antimicrobial peptides such as cathelicidin. Design/Methods A retrospective study was undertaken to evaluate if vitamin D deficiency was associated with less than optimal ICU outcomes in veterans. The study included 136 veterans with 25(OH)D levels drawn within a month of admission to ICU. Results The average 25(OH)D level was 24.6 ng/mL (normal range 30–100) with 38% of patients falling in the vitamin D–deficient category ( Conclusion A vitamin D–replete state may reduce costs and confer survival advantages in critical illness. We recommend that 25(OH)D levels be routinely checked and deficiencies treated in ICU patients.