A Clinical Analysis of Vitamin D Status in Patients Before Spinal Surgery

Abstract

The goal of this paper was to study preoperative concentrations of vitamin D in patients undergoing spinal surgery and analyze relevant risk factors associated with vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D plays an important role in maintaining normal functions of skeletal muscles, and vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency may affect outcomes of spinal surgery patients. A retrospective analysis was conducted on 503 patients undergoing spinal surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University from September 2012 to October 2013. Preoperative concentrations of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] were measured. Normal vitamin D was defined as a serum 25(OH)D level ≥ 32 ng/mL, vitamin D insufficiency as ≥20 and <32 ng/mL, and vitamin D deficiency as <20 ng/mL. Relevant risk factors associated with vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency were analyzed. In 503 spinal surgery patients, rate of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency was 71.4% and 23.9%. Rate of vitamin D deficiency in female patients was significantly higher than that in male (P < 0.001). Rate of vitamin D deficiency in patients with high body mass index (P = 0.009) or patients with smoking habit (P < 0.001) was much higher than other patients. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that female (P < 0.001), smoking (P = 0.005), and winter (P = 0.001) were potential risk factors for vitamin D deficiency. Screening preoperative vitamin D status and relevant treatment should be reinforced in spine surgery patients.