The association between vitamin D deficiency and hospitalization outcomes in pediatric patients with sickle cell disease. Academic Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • BACKGROUND: While there is a known association between low vitamin D levels and increased chronic pain in patients with Sickle Cell Disease (SCD), there are no reported studies evaluating the relationship of vitamin D levels and hospitalization outcomes in this population. The aim of this study was to assess this relationship with hospitalization outcomes defined as the number of emergency room (ER) visits, hospital admissions for pain crisis, and length of hospital stay. DESIGN: A retrospective chart review of all pediatric patients with SCD (1-21 years old) was performed from January 2015 to January 2016 in an urban-based hospital setting (n = 134). Those with at least one reported Vitamin D level who maintained follow up during the time studied were enrolled (n = 90). Patient hospitalizations rates were compared between vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) and sufficiency (>20 ng/ml). RESULTS: Patients with both SCD and vitamin D deficiency were more likely to have at least one Emergency Room visit (p < 0.01), at least one admission for pain crisis (p < 0.01), and a longer length of admission (p < 0.0001) when compared to patients with SCD and sufficient vitamin D levels. CONCLUSION: There is a significant association between vitamin D levels of <20 ng/ml and the number of ER visits, hospital admissions for pain crisis, and length of stay in patients with SCD. Further research is required to assess if correcting vitamin D levels may improve hospitalization outcomes in this population.

publication date

  • February 15, 2020

Research

keywords

  • Anemia, Sickle Cell
  • Emergency Service, Hospital
  • Pain
  • Pain Management
  • Patient Admission
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Identity

Scopus Document Identifier

  • 85081251201

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

  • 10.1016/j.bcmd.2020.102415

PubMed ID

  • 32169623

Additional Document Info

volume

  • 82