The Biochemical Parameters and Vitamin D Levels in ICU Patients with Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study

In a cross-sectional study of 118 COVID-19 patients in Iran who required ICU treatment between February 19, 2020 and April 3, 2020, the mean 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level (25.95±14.56 ng/ml or 64.9±36.4 nmol/l) was lower than the level found in the general population. However, the difference was not statistically significant. Significant correlations were found between low vitamin D levels and elevated liver enzyme alanine transaminase, as well as low vitamin D levels and elevated inflammatory marker C-reactive protein.

• Approximately 56% of the study subjects had ≥ 2 risk factors with diabetes (44.1%) and obesity (23.7%) the most common. Only 5.08% of patients had no risk factors.
• Laboratory findings revealed that 80.50% of patients had hyponatremia (low sodium levels), but other electrolytes including potassium, magnesium, calcium and phosphorous were normal in a majority of participants, as well as complete blood count, chromium, urea, albumin, alanine transaminase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase.
• The aspartate aminotransferase concentration was elevated in most patients (66.9%) indicating liver or muscle damage.
• All patients had high levels of inflammatory factors such as CRP and ESR.
• The mean 25-hydroxy-vitamin D level in participants (25.95±14.56 ng/ml or 64.9±36.4 nmol/l) was lower than the level found in the general population of Iran. However, the difference was not statistically significant.
• Significant correlations were found between low vitamin D levels and elevated ALT, as well as low vitamin D levels and elevated CRP.

One-hundred eighteen COVID-19 patients (80 men, 67.8%; 38 women; 32.2%) in Tehran, Iran who required intensive care unit (ICU) treatment. The mean age was 65.1±15.8 years.

• The observational design of the study cannot substantiate causality between serum vitamin D levels and severity of COVID-19 disease.
• No control group has been included in the study.
• This study had a small sample size. A larger sample size would increase the power and robustness of the study.

Since vitamin D plays a regulatory role in the immune system and low levels of vitamin D are often measured in Covid-19 infected patients, the evaluation of vitamin D levels and the prescription of supplements, if necessary, is suggested.

• This was a cross-sectional study of 118 patients diagnosed with Covid-19 who were hospitalized and required treatment in an ICU between February 19, 2020 and April 3, 2020.
• Serum levels of electrolytes, liver enzymes, blood factors, urea, creatinine, C-reactive protein (CRP) and the erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) as well as anthropometric parameters and the serum vitamin D concentration were measured.

Abdollahi H, Salehinia F, Badeli M, Karimi E, Gandomkar H, Asadollahi A, Sedighiyan M, Abdolahi M. The Biochemical Parameters and Vitamin D Levels in ICU Patients with Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study. Endocr Metab Immune Disord Drug Targets. 2021 Mar 15. doi: 10.2174/1871530321666210316103403. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 33726658.