Work

Association between vitamin D levels and functional mobility among patients with stroke in a rehabilitation setting in Shenzhen, China: a retrospective cross-sectional study

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: Objectives Patients with stroke often have vitamin D (VD) deficiency. Lower VD levels are associated with poorer functional outcomes and overall mortality in patients with stroke. This study aimed to explore the correlation between functional mobility and VD levels in patients with stroke undergoing rehabilitation. Design Retrospective, single-centre, cross-sectional study. Setting A hospital in Shenzhen, China. Participants From June 2019 to March 2024, 492 participants were included in this study. Primary outcome measures VD deficiency was defined as serum 25(OH)D <20 ng/mL for descriptive comparisons, and serum 25(OH)D concentration was analysed as a continuous outcome in regression models. Functional mobility was assessed using the Longshi Scale (LS) and categorised as bedridden or non-bedridden. Univariable and multivariable linear regression analyses were used to identify factors associated with VD levels. Results In total, 492 patients diagnosed with stroke were recruited. Patients were divided into VD deficient (n=264) and non-deficient (n=228) groups. There was no significant difference in age (p=0.174), sex (p=0.097), Body Mass Index (p=0.766) and other clinical factors, except post-stroke duration (p=0.036), stroke type (p=0.001) and season (p=0.001) between groups. In the univariate analysis, sex, history of smoking, history of drinking, stroke subtype and functional mobility were significantly associated with VD levels. In the multivariable analysis, gender, stroke subtype and functional mobility remained associated with VD levels after adjustment for the available covariates. In the subgroup analysis based on stroke subtype, functional mobility remained independently associated with VD levels in male patients with ischaemic stroke. Conclusions Functional mobility was independently associated with VD levels, particularly among male patients with ischaemic stroke. Screening VD levels may be considered in patients with reduced mobility, although causality remains to be clarified.

Source: BMJ Open

DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2026-116780