A Study on the Association between Serum Vitamin D Levels and Acute Stroke

Background: Vitamin D has emerged as an important neurosteroid with anti-inflammatory, vasoprotective, and neuroprotective effects. Increasing evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may influence both the risk and outcome of acute stroke, but data from Indian populations remain limited. Aim: To evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and stroke severity, functional outcome, and vascular risk factors in patients with acute stroke. Methods: This prospective observational study included 132 patients with acute stroke (ischemic or haemorrhagic) admitted within 72 hours of symptom onset. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH) D] levels were measured within 24 hours of admission and categorized as deficient (30 ng/mL). Stroke severity was assessed using the National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS), and functional outcome at discharge was evaluated using the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS). Associations between vitamin D status, stroke severity, outcomes, and vascular risk factors were analysed using ANOVA and Chi-square tests. Results: Among the 132 patients, 57.6% were vitamin D deficient, 28.8% insufficient, and only 13.6% had sufficient levels. Mean NIHSS scores were significantly higher in vitamin D–deficient patients (16.8 ± 4.3) compared to insufficient (12.4 ± 3.6) and sufficient groups (8.9 ± 2.8) (p < 0.001). Poor functional outcome (mRS >2) was observed in 76.3% of deficient patients compared with 52.6% of insufficient and 27.8% of sufficient patients (p < 0.001). Vitamin D deficiency was also significantly associated with higher prevalence of hypertension, diabetes mellitus, and dyslipidaemia (p < 0.05). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among patients with acute stroke and is strongly associated with greater stroke severity and poorer functional outcomes. Low serum 25(OH) D levels are also linked to a higher burden of vascular risk factors. Routine screening and correction of vitamin D deficiency may represent a simple and cost-effective strategy to improve stroke prognosis.