Possible association of vitamin D status with lung involvement and outcome in patients with COVID-19: a retrospective study
European Journal of Nutrition https://doi.org/10.1007/s00394-020-02411-0
73 patients in Iran in Spring
Note: 5-month delay from when the report was received to when it was published
COVID-19 treated by Vitamin D - studies, reports, videos
- examples of observing Vitamin D and COVID-19 severity/death as of Oct 30, 2020
- COVID-19 patients who happened to be taking Vitamin D did much better – Oct 27,2020
- 9X COVID-19 survival in nursing home if had 80,000 IU dose of vitamin D in previous month – Oct 2020
- 32X more likely to have severe-critical COVID-19 in Turkish hospital if Vitamin D deficient – Oct 5, 2020
- 14.7 X more likely to die of COVID-19 if less than 12 ng of Vitamin D (185 Germans) – Sept 10, 2020
- COVID ARDS deaths 2X more likely if less than 10 ng of Vitamin D – Aug 8, 2020
- Russian Hospital observed 5X more likely to have severe COVID-19 if Vitamin D Deficient – Aug 2020
- Vitamin D Sufficiency Reduced Risk for Morbidity and Mortality in COVID-19 Patients - Holick July 14
- No COID19 deaths in a hospital if >41 ng and <80 years old
- Peer reviewed publication Sept 25
- "We did observe that 6.3% of the patients who had a blood level of 25(OH)D of at least 40 ng/mL succumbed to the infection compared to 9.7% and 20% who died and had a circulating blood level above and below 30 ng/mL respectively. Thus, a blood level of at least 40 ng/mL may be optimal for vitamin D’s immunomodulatory effect. "
- Nice 4 minute video by Dr. Holick - unfortunately only recommends 1500 - 2000 IU for adults, which will take >6 months to get most people above 16 ng
Download the PDF from Vitamin D Life
Purpose
Vitamin D deficiency has been reported as a key factor in the development of infectious diseases such as respiratory tract infections and inflammatory processes like acute respiratory distress syndrome. However, the impact of vitamin D on the severity and outcome of COVID-19 is still not fully known. Herein, we aimed to evaluate the prognostic role of serum vitamin D concentration on the extent of lung involvement and final outcome in patients with COVID-19.
Methods
Seventy-three subjects with confirmed diagnosis of COVID-19 were investigated in this study. The patients had been admitted to our academic hospital from February 28, 2020 to April 19, 2020. Demographic and clinical data, serum 25(OH)D levels, and findings of initial chest computed tomography were recorded. Linear and binary logistic regression, cox regression and ROC curve tests were used for statistical analysis.
Results
The mean age of patients was 55.18 ± 14.98 years old; 46.4% were male. Mean serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in the deceased (13.83 ± 12.53 ng/ mL compared with discharged patients (38.41 ± 18.51 ng/mL) (P < 0.001). Higher levels of 25(OH)D were associated with significantly less extent of total lung involvement (β = − 0.10, P = 0.004). In addition, vitamin D deficiency [25(OH) D < 25 ng/mL] was associated with a significant increase in the risk of mortality (hazard ratio = 4.15, P = 0.04).
Conclusion
This study suggests that serum vitamin D status might provide useful information regarding the clinical course, extent of lung involvement and outcome of patients with COVID-19. However, further studies with larger sample size are needed to confirm these findings.