1126: Over 80% of hospitalized patients with COVID-19 are vitamin D deficient

Vitamin D deficiency was noted in 82.2% of patients admitted to a hospital with COVID-19 as per a study published in The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.

The study found that serum Vitamin D levels are significantly reduced in hospitalized patients with COVID-19 compared to population-based controls of similar age and sex. The differences remain significant even once adjusting for the main confounding factors. The levels were particularly lower in the group of men with COVID-19.

There was no difference in the composite endpoint of admission to the intensive care unit (ICU), requirement for mechanical ventilation, or in-hospital mortality between the vitamin D deficient and non-deficient patients with COVID-19. There was no difference in mortality rates between groups.

Among COVID-19 patients, mean ± SD 25OHD levels were 13.8 ± 7.2 ng/ml, compared with 20.9 ± 7.4 ng/ml among controls.

Vitamin D deficiency was evident in 82.2% of COVID-19 cases compared to 47.2% of population-based controls.

Serum 25OHD values were lower in men compared to women.

Serum 25OHD levels had an inverse and significant correlation with serum ferritin and D-dimer levels. No statistically significant association was evident between serum vitamin D levels and interleukin-6 levels. [Source: The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism]

Dr KK Aggarwal

President CMAAO, HCFI and Past National President IMA