tetano
Editor, Senior Moderator
BMC Geriatr
. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):240.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-05873-1. Impact of vitamin D levels on mortality in older covid-19 vaccinated patients
Chiara Ceolin[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Margherita Vergadoro[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Cristina Simonato[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sara Cazzavillan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mario Virgilio Papa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Giulia Salerno Trapella[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Benedetta Di Marzio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Riccardo Sermasi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Bruno Micael Zanforlini[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Chiara Curreri[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anna Bertocco[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Maria Devita[SUP] 1 5 [/SUP], Alessandra Coin[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Luca Spiezia[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Giuseppe Sergi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marina De Rui[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
Background: Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating the immune system and vaccine response, and hypovitaminosis D is a known risk factor for mortality. However, its potential influence on mortality in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated older adults remains underexplored. This study aims to examine survival differences between unvaccinated and vaccinated older adults with varying vitamin D levels, and to assess the impact of vitamin D on mortality.
Methods: We recruited patients aged 65 and over from the Geriatrics Unit of Azienda Ospedale - Università Padova. Clinical, pharmacological data, including vaccination status and vitamin D levels, were collected at admission, alongside mortality data 12 months post-hospitalization. Participants were divided into three groups: unvaccinated, vaccinated with vitamin D levels of 25-50 nmol/L, and vaccinated with levels > 50 nmol/L.
Results: A total of 126 participants were included (56% women, mean age 83 years). No significant differences were found in COVID-19 severity among the three groups. After 12 months, 24 deaths were recorded: 17% in unvaccinated, 19% in vaccinated with low vitamin D, and 20% in vaccinated with high vitamin D (p = 0.94). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that mortality risk for vaccinated individuals with low vitamin D was similar to unvaccinated patients but significantly higher than vaccinated individuals with high vitamin D (p = 0.04). Vitamin D levels of 25-50 nmol/L were associated with a threefold increased risk of 12-month mortality (HR: 3.79, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Vitamin D levels can impact mortality in older vaccinated individuals. Early correction of vitamin D deficiency could potentially enhance outcomes.
Keywords: COVID-19; Older adults; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Vitamin D.
. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):240.
doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-05873-1. Impact of vitamin D levels on mortality in older covid-19 vaccinated patients
Chiara Ceolin[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Margherita Vergadoro[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Cristina Simonato[SUP] 4 [/SUP], Sara Cazzavillan[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Mario Virgilio Papa[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Giulia Salerno Trapella[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Benedetta Di Marzio[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Riccardo Sermasi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Bruno Micael Zanforlini[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Chiara Curreri[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Anna Bertocco[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Maria Devita[SUP] 1 5 [/SUP], Alessandra Coin[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Luca Spiezia[SUP] 2 3 [/SUP], Giuseppe Sergi[SUP] 1 [/SUP], Marina De Rui[SUP] 1 [/SUP]
Affiliations
- PMID: 40211163
- PMCID: PMC11983984
- DOI: 10.1186/s12877-025-05873-1
Background: Vitamin D plays a key role in regulating the immune system and vaccine response, and hypovitaminosis D is a known risk factor for mortality. However, its potential influence on mortality in SARS-CoV-2 vaccinated older adults remains underexplored. This study aims to examine survival differences between unvaccinated and vaccinated older adults with varying vitamin D levels, and to assess the impact of vitamin D on mortality.
Methods: We recruited patients aged 65 and over from the Geriatrics Unit of Azienda Ospedale - Università Padova. Clinical, pharmacological data, including vaccination status and vitamin D levels, were collected at admission, alongside mortality data 12 months post-hospitalization. Participants were divided into three groups: unvaccinated, vaccinated with vitamin D levels of 25-50 nmol/L, and vaccinated with levels > 50 nmol/L.
Results: A total of 126 participants were included (56% women, mean age 83 years). No significant differences were found in COVID-19 severity among the three groups. After 12 months, 24 deaths were recorded: 17% in unvaccinated, 19% in vaccinated with low vitamin D, and 20% in vaccinated with high vitamin D (p = 0.94). Kaplan-Meier curves showed that mortality risk for vaccinated individuals with low vitamin D was similar to unvaccinated patients but significantly higher than vaccinated individuals with high vitamin D (p = 0.04). Vitamin D levels of 25-50 nmol/L were associated with a threefold increased risk of 12-month mortality (HR: 3.79, p < 0.001).
Conclusions: Vitamin D levels can impact mortality in older vaccinated individuals. Early correction of vitamin D deficiency could potentially enhance outcomes.
Keywords: COVID-19; Older adults; SARS-CoV-2; Vaccination; Vitamin D.