Exploring links between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19

Mohan, Mradul; Cherian, Jerin Jose; Sharma, Amit

doi:10.1371/journal.ppat.1008874

Cited by 143 publications

(139 citation statements)

References 37 publications

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“…Most of these studies have indicated a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and severe clinical outcomes of COVID-19 [31,32]. Age, sun exposure, and diet are the main risk factors for vitamin D deficiency and considering these factors, several studies have been conducted to evaluate the possible link between these factors and the clinical outcomes of COVID-19 [33][34][35].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of vitamin D supplementation on mortality rate and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nikniaz

Akbarzadeh

Hosseinifard

et al. 2021

Preprint

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BackgroundSeveral studies have suggested the positive impact of vitamin D on patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. This systematic review aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcomes and mortality rate of COVID-19 patients.MethodsA comprehensive search was conducted through the databases of PubMed, Scopus, Web of Knowledge, Embase, Ovid, and The Cochrane Library with no limitation in time and language, until December 16, 2020. The results were screened based on their accordance with the subject. Two independent reviewers selected the eligible studies and the outcomes of interest were extracted. Using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) Critical Appraisal Tools for Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) and Quasi-Experimental Studies, the remaining results were appraised critically. Statistical analysis was performed using the Comprehensive Meta-Analysis (CMA) software version 2.0.ResultsOf the 2311 results, 1305 duplicated results were removed. After screening the titles, abstracts, and the full-text articles of the remaining records, four studies and 259 patients were enrolled, including 139 patients in vitamin D intervention groups. In three of the studies, the patients’ survival and mortality rate were evaluated. The pooled analysis of these studies showed a significantly lower mortality rate among the intervention groups (10.56%) compared with the control groups (23.88%) (OR = 0.264, 95% CI = 0.099–0.708, p-value = 0.008). Two of the studies reported the clinical outcomes based on the World Health Organization’s Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement (OSCI) score for COVID-19, where both of them showed a significant decrease in OSCI score in the vitamin D intervention groups. Additionally, One study reported a lower rate of intensive care unit (ICU) admission, and one study reported a significant decrease in serum levels of Fibrinogen.ConclusionPrescribing vitamin D supplementation to patients with COVID-19 infection seems to decrease the mortality rate, the severity of the disease, and serum levels of the inflammatory markers. Further studies are needed to determine the ideal type, dosage and duration of supplementation.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The impact of vitamin D supplementation on mortality rate and clinical outcomes of COVID-19 patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Nikniaz

Akbarzadeh

Hosseinifard

et al. 2021

Preprint

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“…Vitamin D supplementation is a relatively cheap, available and safe measure. However, there is no solid scientific evidence to support the routine clinical use of vitamin D in COVID-19 patients [ 163 ].…”

Section: Vitamin D In the Coronavirus Disease-19 (Covid-19) Eramentioning

confidence: 99%

Vitamin D and cardiovascular health

et al. 2021

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The principal source of vitamin D in humans is its biosynthesis in the skin through a chemical reaction dependent on sun exposure. In lesser amounts, the vitamin can be obtained from the diet, mostly from fatty fish, fish liver oil and mushrooms. Individuals with vitamin D deficiency, defined as a serum level of 25 hydroxyvitamin D < 20 ng/dl, should be supplemented. Vitamin D deficiency is a prevalent global problem caused mainly by low exposure to sunlight. The main role of 1,25 dihydroxyvitamin D is the maintenance of calcium and phosphorus homeostasis. However, vitamin D receptors are found in most human cells and tissues, indicating many extra-skeletal effects of the vitamin, particularly in the immune and cardiovascular (CV) systems. Vitamin D regulates blood pressure by acting on endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells. Its deficiency has been associated with various CV risk factors and appears to be linked to a higher mortality and incidence of CV disease (CVD). Several mechanisms have been proposed relating vitamin D deficiency to CV risk factors such as renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system activation, abnormal nitric oxide regulation, oxidative stress or altered inflammatory pathways. However, in the latest randomized controlled trials no benefits of vitamin D supplementation for CVD have been confirmed. Although more work is needed to establish the protective role of vitamin D in this setting, according to current evidences vitamin D supplements should not be recommended for CVD prevention.

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“…All authors indicated that deficient vitamin D levels (range [? ]30 ng / ml) are associated with a higher risk of Covid-19 infection and more severe clinical outcomes, in particular one study 28 showed that this problem is particularly frequent with a prevalence in 50% of the population of over 40 countries which has levels below 50% with peaks of 70% in nations such as India, vice versa having serum levels between 40 and 60 ng / ml proves to be a more protective factor against the infection and its outcomes.…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Unfortunately, vitamin D deficiency appears to be a frequent condition, in over 40 countries, levels of vitamin D deficiency were detected in 50% of the population analyzed 28 , demonstrating that vitamin D supplementation plays a relevant role in the treatment of this pathology 29 .…”

Section: Resultsmentioning

confidence: 99%