Low Serum Levels of 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Are Associated with Stroke Recurrence and Poor Functional Outcomes in Patients with Ischemic Stroke.

Abstract

To evaluate the association between serum 25(OH) D levels and functional outcome and stroke recurrence events in a 6-month follow-up study in a cohort of patients with an acute ischemic stroke (AIS). From March 2014 to August 2015, consecutive first-ever AIS patients admitted to the Department of Emergency of our hospital were identified. Serum 25(OH) D levels were measured at admission. Functional outcome was evaluated at 6-month using the modified Rankin scale (m-Rankin). We used logistic regression models to assess the relationship between 25(OH) levels and risk of recurrent stroke or functional outcome. We recorded 277 stroke patients. There were significantly negative correlation between levels of 25(OH) D and NHISS (P<0.001), and the infarct volume (P< 0.001). Thirty-one patients (11.9%) had a stroke recurrence, while 82 patients (29.6) were with poor functional outcomes. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, serum 25(OH) D level was an independent marker of poor functional outcome and stroke recurrence [odds ratio (OR) 2.55 (1.38-3.96) and 3.03(1.65-4.12), respectively, P<0.001 for both, adjusted for NHISS, other predictors and vascular risk factors] in patients with AIS. Our results demonstrate that low 25(OH) D levels are associated with stroke recurrence and support the hypothesis that 25(OH) D may serve as a biomarker of poor functional outcome after stroke.