Abstract
Background and objectiveSome studies have suggested a potential protective role of vitamin D in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) patients, and this has led to a debate on the topic in the medical community. However, the reported data on the number of hospitalized patients who were vitamin D-deficient is not convincing. In light of this, the aim of the present study was to explore if vitamin D deficiency is correlated with severity and mortality rates of COVID-19 infection in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care hospital in Greece.MethodsWe conducted a single-center retrospective study involving 71 patients hospitalized with COVID-19 from August to October 2020. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level was assessed in all patients within 48 hours of hospital admission. Serum 25(OH)D level ≤20 ng/ml was defined as a deficiency, while that >20 ng/ml as repletion. The primary outcomes of the infection were classified as partial/complete recovery and mortality during hospitalization. The secondary outcomes were blood markers of inflammation and thrombosis.ResultsAmong the 71 COVID-19-positive patients [mean age: 63 years, range: 20-97; male (n=47; 66.2%): female (n=24; 33.8%)] who were enrolled in the study, 46 (64.8%) patients had 25(OH)D levels ≤20 ng/ml and 25 (35.2%) had a level >20 ng/ml. According to the patients' medical history, 55 patients (77.5%) had comorbidities. It appears that vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) significantly correlated with elevated biochemical markers such as procalcitonin and troponin (p<0.001). Moreover, male gender, advanced age (>60 years), and comorbidities were positively associated with more severe COVID-19 infection (elevated inflammation markers, radiographic findings on X-rays, and increased length of hospital stay).ConclusionThese preliminary findings show that vitamin D status among the patients was not related to the severity of COVID-19 infection.
Highlights
The symptoms of patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) range from being asymptomatic to mild-moderate symptoms including fever, anosmia, dysgeusia, runny nose, sore throat, and cough, as well as severe respiratory illness presenting as shortness of breath with consequent multiple organ failure or death [1]
We aimed to investigate if vitamin D deficiency is associated with the severity of COVID-19 infection and mortality in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at a tertiary referral hospital
Jevalikar et al concluded that there was a lack of association of vitamin D status with severity and mortality among Indian patients who were hospitalized for COVID-19 [17]
Summary
The symptoms of patients infected with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) range from being asymptomatic to mild-moderate symptoms including fever, anosmia, dysgeusia, runny nose, sore throat, and cough, as well as severe respiratory illness presenting as shortness of breath with consequent multiple organ failure or death [1]. Research from the University of Chicago reports an increased number of positive COVID-19 test results among patients with vitamin D deficiency [4]. Two studies from the UK [6] and Iran [7] have revealed that lower 25(OH)D levels were strongly associated with a greater extent of lung involvement, admission to ICUs, and increased indicators of infection among COVID-19 patients. Some studies have suggested a potential protective role of vitamin D in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID19) patients, and this has led to a debate on the topic in the medical community. The aim of the present study was to explore if vitamin D deficiency is correlated with severity and mortality rates of COVID-19 infection in hospitalized COVID-19 patients at a tertiary care hospital in Greece
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