More than 80% of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) are vitamin D deficient, according to a study published in the Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metabolism.¹

The COVID-19 pandemic has caused more than 1.16 million deaths and there have been more than 44 million confirmed cases worldwide, according to the World Health Organization. Vitamin D, which is a hormone produced by the kidney that controls blood calcium concentration, has been proven to have beneficial effects on the immune system. This is especially true when it comes to protection against infections. ¹

Investigators analyzed the data from 216 patients with COVID-19 being treated in a Spanish hospital. Of those 216 participants, 19 were taking vitamin D supplements. Patients taking the supplements tended to be women and had a greater prevalence of hypertension and immunosuppression, according to the study.²

More than 80% of the participants were vitamin D deficient. On average, men were more likely to be vitamin D deficient than women. According to the study, those with a vitamin D deficiency had raised serum levels of inflammatory markers, such as D-dimer and ferritin. ¹

"One approach is to identify and treat vitamin D deficiency, especially in high-risk individuals such as the elderly, patients with comorbidities, and nursing home residents, who are the main target population for the COVID-19," said study co-author José L. Hernández, PhD, in the press release. "Vitamin D treatment should be recommended in COVID-19 patients with low levels of vitamin D circulating in the blood since this approach might have beneficial effects in both the musculoskeletal and the immune system."

REFERENCE:

• Study finds over 80% of COVID-19 patients have vitamin D deficiency [News Release] October 27, 2020; Spain. https://www.eurekalert.org/pub_releases/2020-10/tes-sfo102220.php. Accessed October 29, 2020.

• Hernández, Jose. Et al. Vitamin D Status in Hospitalized Patients With SARS-CoV-2 Infection [Journal article] October 27, 2020. The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & Metablism. https://doi.org/10.1210/clinem/dgaa733. Accessed October 29, 2020.