Delirium 2.7 X more likely after hip fracture and low vitamin D – May 2015

Vitamin deficiency as a risk factor for delirium

European Geriatric Medicine doi:10.1016/j.eurger.2014.09.002
• A.C. Torbergsena, c, , , ,
• L.O. Watnea, b, ,
• F. Frihagend, ,
• T.B. Wyllera, b, ,
• A. Brugaarda, b,
• M. Mowea, c,

Purpose
Hip fracture patients constitute a frail group and are often at risk of malnutrition. These patients are also at great risk of delirium. We aimed, in a case control study, to assess the relationship between specific hypovitaminoses and the risk of delirium in hip fracture patients.

Subjects
Blood was drawn for measurements of vitamins A, B1, B6, B12, C, 25(OH)D, E, and K1, as well as folic acid, in 115 patients upon admission for hip fracture. Delirium was assessed daily preoperatively and 5 days postoperatively (all patients) or until discharge (delirious patients) using the Confusion Assessment Method. Patients with delirium were classified as cases and patients without delirium as controls.

Results
A total of 59 (51%) patients had delirium during their hospital stay. Concentrations of 25(OH)D and vitamin C were significantly lower in cases compared with controls (median nmol/L 25(OH)D: 41 (32–52) vs. 52 (34–77), P = 0.05; mean μmol/L vitamin C: 25 ± 16 vs. 35 ± 20, P = 0.01). A concentration below 50 nmol/L for 25(OH)D was an independent and significant risk factor for delirium (odds ratio = 2.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.04–7.2, P = 0.04) in a multivariate regression analysis adjusted for all registered confounders.

Discussion and conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of delirium after hip fracture.

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See also Vitamin D Life

• Delirium 24 percent more likely for each 2.5 ng lower vitamin D (313,000 patients) – Feb 2019
• Hospital induced delirium 2X more likely if low vitamin D – April 2015
• Search VitaminDwiki for DELIRIUM 209 items as of Feb 2019
• Deep sedation in ICU reduced cognition even a year later (needed more vitamin D) – Oct 2013
  Comment by Vitamin D Life: ICU drugs. traumatic brain injury and Chemo-brain: all appear to need vitamin D
• Cognition and vitamin D – summary of expert opinions – July 2014
• Cognitive Impairment 2.4X more likely if low vitamin D – meta-analysis July 2012