Serum vitamin D deficiency in subjects with severe acquired brain injury and relationship with functional severity. (6th December 2018)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Intiso, D.; Fontana, A.; Copetti, M.; Di Rienzo, F.
• Is Part Of: Brain injury. Volume 32:Number 13/14(2018)
• Page Start: 1817
• Page End: 1823
• Publication Date: 2018-12-06
• Subjects: Acquired brain injury -- vitamin D -- disability; Brain damage -- Periodicals; Brain -- Wounds and injuries -- Periodicals; Brain Injuries -- Periodicals; 617.481
• DOI: 10.1080/02699052.2018.1537512
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0269-9052

Abstract

ABSTRACT: Background : Vitamin D may be important for the development and function of the nervous system. Low serum vitamin D levels have been detected in several neurological diseases. Objective : To ascertain the relationship between 25(OH)D serum level and disability in subjects with severe acquired brain injury (sABI). Design : Prospective cross-sectional study Methods : Consecutive subjects with sABI admitted to neuro-rehabilitation were enrolled. A sample of subjects from the neurological ward was considered the control group. Vitamin D serum levels and blood parameters were measured at admission. Disability Rating Scale (DRS), Glasgow Outcome Scale (GOS), and Level of Cognitive Functioning (LCF) were used in assessing disability. Results : A total of 104 subjects (34 F, 70 M; mean age 53.9 ± 15.2 years) were enrolled: 54 (19 F, 35 M) with sABI and 50 (15 F, 35 M) subjects as control group. Deficient mean serum levels of vitamin D (19.2 ± 9.4 ng/mL) were detected in the subjects with sABI and a significant inverse correlation between vitamin D serum levels and DRS score was detected (p = 0.04). Conclusion : Subjects with sABI showed vitamin D deficiency that might correlate to disability severity. The reason is unclear and might represent a secondary phenomenon resulting from the inflammatory process.