Adequate Vitamin D3 Levels May Prevent Death From COVID-19

Covid-19

Ashley L. Faulx, MD, FASGE reviewing Borsche L, et al. medRxiv 2021 Sep 25.

Studies have shown that vitamin D3 levels correlate strongly with disease severity in COVID-19–infected patients. However, it has not been clear whether COVID-19 infection causes vitamin D3 levels to fall or low levels of vitamin D3 impair immune defenses in these patients.

This retrospective study used data from 1 population study and 7 hospital studies. Vitamin D levels were recorded before infection or the day of hospital admission. Expected mortality rates based on age, sex, and comorbidities and then observed mortality rates and vitamin D3 levels were added to the dataset for specific cohorts. Linear regression and Pearson and Spearman correlations of vitamin D and mortality values were generated. Results showed a negative correlation between D3 levels and mortality risk. Regression suggested a theoretical point of zero mortality at approximately 50 ng/ml D3.

Comment:

Vitamin D3 is known to play an important role in the immune response in humans. The highest infection rates in the U.S. have occurred during the winter months, when sun exposure is lowest, and in Black people and the elderly, who often have low vitamin D3 levels. These data suggest that maintaining a high vitamin D level of at least 50 ng/ml can prevent COVID-19 mortality. Physicians may want to employ this simple intervention with patients, even those who are vaccinated, due to its ease of administration and low-risk profile.

Note to readers: At the time we reviewed this paper, its publisher noted that the paper is in a preprint stage and has not yet completed a formal peer-review process and, therefore, cannot be used to guide clinical practice.

Ashley L. Faulx, MD, FASGE

Bio and Disclosures

Citation(s):

Borsche L, Glauner B, von Mendel J. COVID-19 mortality risk correlates inversely with vitamin D3 status, and a mortality rate close to zero could theoretically be achieved at 50 ng/ml 25(OH)D3: results of a systematic review and meta-analysis. medRxiv 2021 Sep 25. (Preprint) (https://doi.org/10.1101/2021.09.22.21263977)