Vitamin D levels are not predictors of survival in a clinic population of patients with ALS

Abstract

Objective This study aimed to measure serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations, bone mineral density (BMD), and the parameters of bone metabolism in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients, and their correlation with survival.

Methods We retrospectively analysed data of 100 ALS patients who consecutively visited a single referral ALS clinic between January and December 2011. Sex; age and site of symptom onset; and death were recorded. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was dichotomized as < 10 ng/ml and ≥ 10 ng/ml.

Results There was absent relationship between serum 25(OH)D and concentration of bone turnover parameters or between 25(OH)D and BMD. According to the results of the Kaplan–Meier analysis with log-rank test, the survival rates of patients without (≥ 10 ng/ml) and of those with severe vitamin D deficiency (< 10 ng/ml) were not significantly different. Cox regression analysis showed that a poor prognosis was most correlated with older age at onset and bulbar onset after adjustment for all the clinical factors.

Conclusions In conclusion, vitamin D levels were not correlated to other bone markers and survival in a clinic population of ALS patients.