BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D plays a key role in bone mineralization, muscular strength, immune system function, cardiovascular function and the health and function of brain. Since the critically ill patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to several reasons, the present study aims to evaluate the serum vitamin D level and its association with the outcome of patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit.

METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among all patients hospitalized in the medical intensive care unit of Ayatollah Rouhani Hospital during 16 months. Vitamin D level, age, sex, cause of admission, the glasgow coma scale (GCS) and mortality were recorded. The intensity of patients' illness was measured based on the APACHE score. The level and intensity of vitamin D deficiency were measured and compared between survivors and patients who died.

RESULTS: Of the 117 patients who entered the study, 49.6% were male. The mean age of the patients was 67.22±17.27 years. The mean glasgow coma scale was 8.41±2.5. 72.6% of the patients suffered from vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml). 56 patients (47.9%) died. Vitamin D level was 14.16±12.21 in patients who died and was 21.90±18.20 in patients who survived. No significant relationship was found between mortality and vitamin D level.

CONCLUSION: Results of the present study demonstrated that mortality rate in patients with vitamin D deficiency is higher than other patients.