Takeaway
Lower vitamin D levels (£38.4 nmol/L) are associated with poorer functional outcomes at 5 years in patients with acute ischemic stroke (AIS), and the effect of vitamin D levels on functional outcome may be partially mediated by depression symptoms.
Why this matters
Though vitamin D levels decline with increasing age, the long-term relationship between vitamin D levels and functional outcomes following stroke has not been well studied. Results from this study suggest that vitamin D deficiency has important prognostic value and may impact future treatment protocols for stroke patients.