title: Vitamin D and Mortality.
abstract: In this narrative review, we aim to summarize and discuss the current evidence linking vitamin D and mortality. Low 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations are associated with an increased risk of mortality. This has been shown in different cohort studies including general populations, as well as various patient cohorts. Some single-study results and meta-analyses indicate that the shape of the relationship between 25(OH)D and mortality follows a U- or a reverse J-shaped curve. Interassay and laboratory differences are, however, a limitation of most previous surveys, and standardization of 25(OH)D measurements is needed for future investigations. Apart from observational data, it has been documented in meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials that vitamin D3 supplementation is associated with a moderate, yet statistically significant, reduction in mortality. This latter finding must be interpreted in light of some limitations such as incomplete follow-up data, but such a reduction of mortality with vitamin D3 supplementation as the finding of meta-analyses of randomized controlled trials strongly argues for the benefits and, importantly, also the safety of vitamin D.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, the Netherlands stefan.pilz@chello.at.
authors.forename: Stefan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Pilz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Swiss Cardiovascular Center Bern, Department of Cardiology, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Grübler
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gaksch
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Verena
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Schwetz
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Christian
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Trummer
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiology, NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital and the Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, U.S.A. Department of Internal Medicine/Geriatrics, Yale School of Medicine, Adler Geriatric Center, New Haven, CT, U.S.A.
authors.forename: Bríain Ó
authors.initials: BÓ
authors.lastname: Hartaigh
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria.
authors.forename: Nicolas
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Verheyen
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Specialist Clinic of Rehabilitation PV Bad Aussee, Bad Aussee, Austria.
authors.forename: Andreas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Tomaschitz
authors.affiliation: Clinical Institute of Medical and Chemical Laboratory Diagnostics, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria Medical Clinic V (Nephrology, Hypertensiology, Endocrinology, Diabetology, Rheumatology), Mannheim Medical Faculty, University of Heidelberg, Mannheim, Germany Synlab Academy, Synlab Laboratory Services GmbH, Mannheim, Germany.
authors.forename: Winfried
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: März
mesh_terms: D015331:Cohort Studies; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D064887:Observational Studies as Topic; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000401:mortality*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: 25(OH)D; RCT; Vitamin D; epidemiology; mortality; review