Low Vitamin D Level Is Associated with Acute Deep Venous Thrombosis in Patients with Traumatic Brain Injury

• Main Authors: Matthew Moore, Yelena Goldin, Harsh Patel, Brian D. Greenwald
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2021-06-01
• Series: Brain Sciences
• Subjects: deep venous thrombosis; traumatic brain injury; vitamin D
• Online Access: https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3425/11/7/849

Vitamin D and its association with venous thromboembolism (VTE) have been studied in common rehabilitation populations, such as spinal cord injury and ischemic stroke groups. This study explores the relationship between vitamin D levels and acute deep venous thrombosis (DVT) in the traumatic brain injury (TBI) population. This is a retrospective cohort study that analyzes the relationship between vitamin D levels and the prevalence of DVT during acute inpatient rehabilitation. In this population, 62% (117/190) of patients had low vitamin D levels upon admission to acute rehabilitation. Furthermore, 21% (24/117) of patients in the low vitamin D group had acute DVT during admission to acute rehabilitation. In contrast, only 8% (6/73) of patients in the normal vitamin D group had acute DVT during admission to acute rehabilitation. Fisher’s exact tests revealed significant differences between individuals with low and normal vitamin D levels (<i>p</i> = 0.025). In conclusion, a vitamin D level below 30 ng/mL was associated with increased probability of the occurrence of acute DVT in individuals with moderate–severe TBI.