Reduced vitamin D in acute stroke.
OBJECTIVE
Stroke leads to a reduction in bone mineral density, altered calcium homeostasis, and an increase in hip fractures. Vitamin D deficiency is well documented in long-term stroke survivors and is associated with post-stroke hip fractures. Less is known regarding levels in acute stroke.


METHODS
We compared the serum 25-dihydroxyvitamin D levels of 44 patients admitted to an acute stroke unit with first-ever stroke with results obtained by measuring 96 healthy ambulant elderly subjects every 2 months for 1 year. Statistical Z scores of serum vitamin D were then calculated after seasonal adjustment for the month of sampling.


RESULTS
The mean Z score of vitamin D in acute stroke was -1.4 SD units (95% CI, -1.7, -1.1), with 77% of patients falling in the insufficient range.


CONCLUSIONS
Reduced vitamin D was identified in the majority of patients with acute stroke throughout the year and may have preceded stroke. Vitamin D is a potential risk marker for stroke, and the role of vitamin D repletion in enhancing musculoskeletal health after stroke needs to be explored.
Poole
Kenneth E S
KE
Department of Medicine, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK. kesp2@cam.ac.uk
Loveridge
Nigel
N
Barker
Peter J
PJ
Halsall
David J
DJ
Rose
Collette
C
Reeve
Jonathan
J
Warburton
Elizabeth A
EA
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015233:Models, Statistical; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D020521:Stroke / Q000097:blood*; D000071939:Stroke Rehabilitation; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications*
D014807:Vitamin D