Analysis of Vitamin D Level among COVID-19 Patients: A Cross-sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2) is the virus responsible for causing coronavirus disease (COVID-19). Vitamin D has been proposed as a potentially modifiable risk factor that could influence the severity of COVID-19 infection. In the case of respiratory tract infections, the failure of cellular damage mechanisms and impaired oxygen diffusion can lead to acute respiratory failure. This study aimed to describe the effects of vitamin D levels in COVID-19 patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was taken on 360 COVID-19 older than 18 years old unrepeated patients in Dr. Wahidin Sudirohusodo Hospital and its network, Makassar, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Vitamin D level was analyzed from blood. Age, gender, body mass index (BMI), comorbidity, severity degree of COVID-19, and vitamin D level are also analyzed. Results: According to the findings of the study, several factors were identified to have notable correlation with the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. However, the study did not establish any connection between vitamin D levels and the severity of COVID-19 symptoms. Conclusion: Individuals affected by COVID-19 often have insufficient levels of vitamin D, although the severity of symptoms experienced by patients is not associated with their serum vitamin D levels. Keywords: Vitamin D, COVID-19, severity