Association of vitamin D status with COVID-19 and its severity : Vitamin D and COVID-19: a narrative review.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of Vitamin D in immune modulation, inflammation, and its potential benefits in reducing COVID-19 risk and severity.
Results Summary
Observational studies found an inverse relationship between serum 25(OH)D levels and COVID-19 risk/severity, with proposed mechanisms including immune modulation and metabolic regulation. Some RCTs showed benefits in reducing SARS-CoV-2 RNA positivity but not ICU admission or mortality.
Population
Patients with COVID-19, particularly those with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency.
Effective Dosage
Maintain serum 25(OH)D of at least 30 ng/mL (preferred range 40-60 ng/mL).
Duration
Not specified.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D | neutral | biological activities of the innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as inflammation | - | - | associated with | #1 |
serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations | decrease | risk or severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) | - | - | inverse relationship has been found | #2 |
vitamin D | neutral | immune and inflammatory responses | - | - | modulation of | #3 |
vitamin D | neutral | the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system | - | - | regulation of | #4 |
vitamin D | neutral | glucose metabolism and cardiovascular system | - | - | involvement in | #5 |
Low 25(OH)D concentrations | increase | severe outcomes | patients with COVID-19 | - | might predispose | #6 |
vitamin D supplementation | decrease | severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA positivity | - | - | beneficial for reducing | #7 |
vitamin D supplementation | no change | intensive care unit admission or all-cause mortality | patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 | - | not for reducing | #8 |
taking a vitamin D supplement to maintain a serum concentration of 25(OH)D of at least 30 ng/mL (preferred range 40-60 ng/mL) | decrease | risk of COVID-19 and its severe outcomes, including mortality | - | - | can help reduce | #9 |
Vitamin D is associated with biological activities of the innate and adaptive immune systems, as well as inflammation. In observational studies, an inverse relationship has been found between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and the risk or severity of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Several mechanisms have been proposed for the role of vitamin D in COVID-19, including modulation of immune and inflammatory responses, regulation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system, and involvement in glucose metabolism and cardiovascular system. Low 25(OH)D concentrations might predispose patients with COVID-19 to severe outcomes not only via the associated hyperinflammatory syndrome but also by worsening preexisting impaired glucose metabolism and cardiovascular diseases. Some randomized controlled trials have shown that vitamin D supplementation is beneficial for reducing severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 RNA positivity but not for reducing intensive care unit admission or all-cause mortality in patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19. Current evidence suggests that taking a vitamin D supplement to maintain a serum concentration of 25(OH)D of at least 30 ng/mL (preferred range 40-60 ng/mL), can help reduce the risk of COVID-19 and its severe outcomes, including mortality. Although further well designed studies are warranted, it is prudent to recommend vitamin D supplements to people with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency during the COVID-19 pandemic according to international guidelines.