Vitamin D and COVID-19 Infection

Vitamin D deficiency and obesity increases risk of testing positive for COVID-19.

• 103 patients were COVID-19 positive.
• Patients who required intensive care have an average vitamin D level of 27.6nmol/L; those treated at the ward level were 45.6nmol/L.
• Those patients who were discharged had an average vitamin D level of 45.2nmol/L and those who died had a 41.0nmol/L, which was an insignificant difference.

103 COVID-19 positive patients (46 males and 57 females, mean age: 73.6 years)

This study examined cases in a single center, had no control to compare levels of vitamin D with an unaffected population, and also had no data on comorbidities.

The authors concluded that low vitamin D can increase susceptibility of contracting COVID-19, increase severity of infection but does not affect mortality.

• A prospective study between March 2020 and May 2020 looked at patients who were admitted to the hospital.
• Patients were tested for COVID-19 and vitamin D levels on admission.
• Greater than 50nmol/L was adequate vitamin D levels; 25-50nmol/L were insufficient; less than 25nmol/L were deficient

Ainine A, Heward E, Kapasi R, Rocke J, Darby D, Kumar N, Ashish A. Vitamin D and COVID-19 Infection. Med J Malaysia. 2021 Nov;76(6):881-883. PMID: 34806677.