Impact of vitamin D levels on mortality in older covid-19 vaccinated patients
BMC Geriatr. 2025 Apr 10;25(1):240. doi: 10.1186/s12877-025-05873-1.
Chiara Ceolin 1, Margherita Vergadoro 2 3, Cristina Simonato 4, Sara Cazzavillan 1, Mario Virgilio Papa 1, Giulia Salerno Trapella 1, Benedetta Di Marzio 1, Riccardo Sermasi 1, Bruno Micael Zanforlini 1, Chiara Curreri 1, Anna Bertocco 1, Maria Devita 1 5, Alessandra Coin 1, Luca Spiezia 2 3, Giuseppe Sergi 1, Marina De Rui 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.
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Higher Vitamin D helps seniors live longer and healthier
- Vitamin D prescribed to half of those 90 or older (France) – Jan 2025
- Seniors 5.4 more likely to die if Vitamin D less than 15 ng (Mexico) – Aug 2023
- Nursing homes and Vitamin D - many studies
- Less likely to die of various causes if higher Vitamin D (data from 300,000 people) – Oct 2022
- Oldest Chinese with low Vitamin D were more likely to die – Oct 2021
- Centenarians in China 3X more likely to be active if high vitamin D – July 2020
- 40 percent less likely to die if vitamin D was prescribed (10,000 VA patients, no surprise) – Oct 2021