Vitamin D 25(OH)D3 Levels in Patients Infected with SARS-CoV-2. The Effects on Hospital Admission Status, Hospital Length of Stay and COVID-19 Mortality Rate

Sylwia Serafinska, Krzysztof Simon, Marta Kucharska, Justyna Janocha-Litwin, Aleksander Zinczuk, Anna Nowicka, Monika Pazgan-Simon, Anna Szymanek-Pasternak

Abstract: Introduction: Several reports have found an effect of vitamin D on the course of certain infections, including COVID-19. Aim: Based on these reports, the present study measured serum vitamin D levels in COVID-19 adult patients and analysed the correlations between vitamin D levels and many aspects due to COVID-19. Materials and methods: This study involves a cohort of adult patients with COVID-19 interstitial pneumonia (n 301). The group was divided into subgroups based on baseline vitamin D levels (<30 ng/ml, 30-50, >50). The relationship of baseline vitamin D levels with patients' health status on admission, hospital length of stay, need for ICU transfer and in-hospital mortality rates was analysed. Results: There was a significant inverse correlation between baseline vitamin D levels and WHO COVID-19 severity on admission (p <0.001), especially if baseline levels were<30 ng/ml (p 0.006). Baseline vitamin D levels correlated with hospital length of stay (p 0.019). The group with low vitamin D levels<30 ng/ml alsohad a statistically significant higher risk of death (p 0.003). In both univariate and multivariate models, age and baseline vitamin D levels affected the hospitallength of stay (p <0.001). There was no association between baseline vitamin D levels and the need for transfer to the ICU. Conclusions: Older patients with baseline lower vitamin D levels<30 ng/ml have a more severe course of COVID-19, a longer hospital stay and present a significantly higher risk of death compared to younger patients with normal and high baseline 25(OH)D3 levels.

Keywords: vitamin D levels, vitamin D deficiency, SARS-CoV-2 infection, COVID-19, primary prevention