Vitamin D status: a U-shaped relationship for SARS-CoV-2 seropositivity in UK healthcare workers.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine the relationship between vitamin D deficiency/sufficiency and COVID-19 seropositivity among healthcare workers.
Results Summary
The study found a U-shaped relationship between vitamin D levels and COVID-19 seropositivity, suggesting both deficiency and high levels may influence susceptibility. The trend persisted across subgroups like age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, and comorbidity status.
Population
Healthcare workers from the University Hospitals Birmingham NHS Foundation Trust who isolated due to COVID-19 symptoms.
Effective Dosage
Not specified
Duration
Not specified
Interactions
None mentioned
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D deficiency | increase | risk of COVID-19 infection and susceptibility | individuals | - | may increase | #1 |
vitamin D levels | no change | COVID-19 seropositivity rate | healthcare workers | - | U-shaped curve was identified | #2 |
vitamin D levels | no change | COVID-19 seropositivity rate | subgroups of age, sex, ethnicity, BMI and comorbidity status | - | U-shaped curve was identified | #3 |
vitamin D levels | no change | COVID-19 seropositivity rate | total population | - | significant difference was identified | #4 |
vitamin D levels | no change | COVID-19 seropositivity rate | men and women | - | significant difference was identified | #5 |
vitamin D levels | no change | COVID-19 seropositivity rate | black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) group | - | significant difference was identified | #6 |
vitamin D levels | no change | COVID-19 seropositivity rate | BMI<30 (kg/m²) | - | significant difference was identified | #7 |
high vitamin D levels | increase | susceptibility to COVID-19 infection | - | - | can have a detrimental effect | #8 |
vitamin D supplementation | no change | vitamin D levels | those at risk | - | could potentially identify 'optimal' vitamin D levels | #9 |
BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence that vitamin D (VD) deficiency may increase individuals' risk of COVID-19 infection and susceptibility. We aimed to determine the relationship between VD deficiency and sufficiency and COVID-19 seropositivity within healthcare workers. METHODS: The study included an observational cohort of healthcare workers who isolated due to COVID-19 symptoms from 12 May to 22 May 2020, from the University Hospitals Birmingham National Health Service Foundation Trust. Data collected included SARS-CoV-2 seroconversion status, serum 25(OH)D RESULTS: When VD levels were compared against COVID-19 seropositivity rate, a U-shaped curve was identified. This trend repeated when participants were split into subgroups of age, sex, ethnicity, BMI and comorbidity status. Significant difference was identified in the COVID-19 seropositivity rate between VD groups in the total population and between groups of men and women; black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) group; BMI<30 (kg/m CONCLUSIONS: Our study has shown a U-shaped relationship for COVID-19 seropositivity in UK healthcare workers. Further investigation is required to determine whether high VD levels can have a detrimental effect on susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. Future randomised clinical trials of VD supplementation could potentially identify 'optimal' VD levels, allowing for targeted therapeutic treatment for those at risk.