Abstract
OBJECTIVES:In this ancillary analysis of a multicenter, double-blinded, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, we investigated the effect of a single high dose of vitamin D3 on the length of hospital stay of patients with severe 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and COVID-19.METHODS:The primary outcome was length of hospital stay, defined as the total number of days that patients remained hospitalized from the date of randomization until the date of hospital discharge. Secondary outcomes included serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, mortality during hospitalization, number of patients admitted to the intensive care unit, and number of patients who required mechanical ventilation. ClinicalTrials.gov: NCT04449718.RESULTS:Thirty-two patients were included in the study. The mean (SD) age was 58.5 (15.6) years, body mass index was 30.8 (8.6) kg/m2, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was 7.8 (1.6) ng/mL. No significant difference was observed in the median interquartile range of length of hospital stay between the vitamin D3 group (6.0 [4.0-18.0] days) versus placebo (9.5 [6.3-15.5] days) (log-rank p=0.74; hazard ratio, 1.13 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.53-2.40]; p=0.76). Vitamin D3 significantly increased serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the vitamin D3 group compared with that in the placebo group (between-group difference, 23.9 ng/mL [95% CI, 17.7-30.1]; p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS:A dose of 200.000 IU of vitamin D3 did not significantly reduce the length of hospital stay of patients with severe 25-hydroxyvitamin D deficiency and COVID-19.
Highlights
Vitamin D has potent antimicrobial effects, which may modulate the immune system [1] and protect against respiratory diseases [2]
We recently showed that a single high dose of vitamin D3 versus placebo did not significantly reduce the length of hospital stay among hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and either normal (430 ng/mL)
There was no significant difference in the median length of hospital stay between the vitamin D3 group (6.0 [4.0–18.0] days) versus placebo (9.5 [6.3–15.5] days) (Figure 1)
Summary
Vitamin D has potent antimicrobial effects, which may modulate the immune system [1] and protect against respiratory diseases [2]. Hospitalized patients with COVID19 may present with low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] [3,4]. The role of vitamin D in the management of COVID-19 remains controversial [3,5,6]. We recently showed that a single high dose of vitamin D3 versus placebo did not significantly reduce the length of hospital stay among hospitalized patients with moderate to severe COVID-19 and either normal (430 ng/mL). Received for publication on September 30, 2021. Accepted for publication on October 20, 2021
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
