Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Deficiency Is Independently Associated with Cognitive Impairment, Depressive Symptoms, and Functional Dependency in Hospitalised Older Adults: A Cross-Sectional Study from Central Romania

Nutrients 2026 Open access

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Authors: Valer Donca, Lucreția Avram, Tudor Cosma, Daniela Rus, Andrada Nemeș, Andrei Mihai Bălan, Adela Șerban, Rodica Ungur, Dana Crișan
DOI: 10.3390/nu18132066
Cited by: 1
References: 41

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in older adults and has been increasingly recognised as a potential contributor to cognitive decline, depressive symptomatology, and functional impairment. However, the clinical significance of specific 25-hydroxyvitamin D thresholds in relation to this multidomain geriatric phenotype remains incompletely characterised. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study of 1438 consecutive patients aged 65 years or older admitted for comprehensive geriatric assessment at a tertiary centre in Cluj-Napoca, Romania, between January 2023 and November 2025. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was categorised as deficient (

Fields of Study & Subjects

Vitamin D Research Studies Vitamin C and Antioxidants Research Nutritional Studies and Diet

Publication details

Journal / source
Nutrients
Publisher
MDPI AG
Volume
18
Issue
13
Pages
2066–2066
Publication date
24 June 2026
Language
EN