Preoperative vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of postoperative cognitive dysfunction: a predefined exploratory...

Area of Science:

• Geriatric Medicine
• Nutritional Neuroscience
• Surgical Outcomes

Background:

• Vitamin D plays a crucial role in maintaining physiological functions, including cognitive health.
• Vitamin D deficiency is linked to cognitive impairment, a significant concern in the elderly.
• Postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is a common complication following major surgery in older adults.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between preoperative vitamin D status and the development of POCD in elderly patients.
• To determine if vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of POCD after major cancer surgery.

Main Methods:

• Exploratory sub-analysis of data from a randomized controlled trial involving 123 elderly patients (≥65 years) undergoing major cancer surgery.
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured preoperatively.
• Neuropsychological tests were administered before and 7 days after surgery to assess POCD using the ISPOCD1 definition.

Main Results:

• A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (71.5%) was observed in the elderly surgical patients preoperatively.
• 24.4% of patients developed POCD one week after surgery.
• Preoperative vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with an increased risk of POCD (OR: 8.427), while higher vitamin D levels correlated with a decreased risk (OR: 0.829).

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency is common in elderly patients undergoing major cancer surgery and is a risk factor for early POCD.
• Further research is warranted to explore the potential benefits of prophylactic vitamin D supplementation in preventing POCD in the elderly.