Association of serum vitamin D concentration with the final course of hospitalization in patients with COVID-19

Abstract

BackgroundVitamin D deficiency is a substantial public health problem. The present study evaluated the association between vitamin D concentration and hospitalization and mortality risk in patients with coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19).MethodsThis study used the COronavirus in LOwer Silesia (COLOS) dataset collected between February 2020 and June 2021. The medical records of 474 patients with confirmed severe acute respiratory syndrome 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, and whose vitamin D concentration was measured, were analyzed.ResultsWe determined a significant difference in vitamin D concentration between discharged patients and those who died during hospitalization (p = 0.0096). We also found an effect of vitamin D concentration on the risk of death in patients hospitalized due to COVID-19. As vitamin D concentration increased, the odds ratio (OR) for death slightly decreased (OR = 0.978; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.540-0.669). The vitamin D concentration cutoff point was 15.40 ng/ml. In addition, patients with COVID-19 and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations < 30 ng/ml had a lower survival rate than those with serum 25(OH)D ≥ 30 ng/ml (log-rank test p = 0.0018). Moreover, a Cox regression model showed that patients with an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥ 60 ml/min/1.73 m2 and higher vitamin D concentrations had a 2.8% reduced risk of mortality (hazard ratio HR = 0.972; CI = 0.95-0,99; p = 0.0097).ConclusionsThe results indicate an association between 25(OH)D levels in patients with COVID-19 and the final course of hospitalization and risk of death.

Association of Vitamin D with Severity and Outcome of COVID-19: Clinical and Experimental Evidence

“…In one randomized prospective trial, patients with COVID-19 and hypovitaminosis D were treated with vitamin D. Restoration of vitamin D levels between 80 and 100 ng/mL was accompanied by significant decrease of ferritin, IL-6, and CRP and increases in the neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio [ 25 ]. In one study of 474 patients risk of death by COVID-19 was greater among patients with vitamin D insufficiency [ 26 ]. The results of the recent REsCue trial revealed that treatment with capsules of vitamin D for 2 weeks affected earlier resolution of symptoms only among the subgroup of patients who restored vitamin D circulating levels to normal [ 27 ].…”

Effect of Vitamin D in Long COVID Patients

“…Recent studies have indicated that vitamin D supplementation may play a role in the prevention and treatment of COVID-19, as vitamin D deficiency has been linked with an increased risk of acquiring COVID-19 and an increased risk of severe COVID-19 and mortality [19][20][21][22][23][24][25]. Currently, no medicine has been proven effective for treatment of long COVID.…”