Association between vitamin D and COVID-19 infection and mortality in Taiwanese patients
Ching-Ching Sheng, Shuan-Yi Su, Ying Liang, Hui-Chuan Cheng, Hsin-Yi Huang, correspondence. Rn Hsiao-Hui Chiu
Journal of the Chinese Medical Association, doi:10.1097/jcma.0000000000001294
Background: Vitamin D plays a role in immune regulation and may influence COVID-19 outcomes. This study examined the association between serum vitamin D levels with COVID-19 infection and mortality in symptomatic patients in Taiwan. Methods: This retrospective cohort study included symptomatic patients who underwent COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay between 2020 and 2023. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were categorized as deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20-30 ng/mL), or sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the impact of vitamin D levels on COVID-19 infection and mortality, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and comorbidities. Results: Among the 481 participants (mean age 58.2 years; 66.7% female), 96 (19.96%) tested positive for COVID-19. Vitamin D level was not associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.99-1.02, p=0.687), however vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the risk of COVID-19-related mortality (OR=10.68, 95% CI: 1.18-96.45; p=0.035). The mortality rate in patients aged 65-74 years was higher compared to those aged 19-44 years (OR=12.91, 95% CI: 1.29-128.83; p=0.029). Conclusions: Vitamin D levels were not associated with susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. However, vitamin D deficiency, particularly in older patients, was associated with an increased risk of mortality among those diagnosed with COVID-19. These findings support the role of vitamin D in reducing COVID-19 mortality, and emphasize the importance of maintaining sufficient levels in high-risk populations.
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"abstract": "<jats:sec>\n <jats:title>Background:</jats:title>\n <jats:p>Vitamin D plays a role in immune regulation and may influence COVID-19 outcomes. This study examined the association between serum vitamin D levels with COVID-19 infection and mortality in symptomatic patients in Taiwan.</jats:p>\n </jats:sec>\n <jats:sec>\n <jats:title>Methods:</jats:title>\n <jats:p>This retrospective cohort study included symptomatic patients who underwent COVID-19 real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) assay between 2020 and 2023. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were categorized as deficient (<20 ng/mL), insufficient (20–30 ng/mL), or sufficient (≥30 ng/mL). Logistic regression models were used to evaluate the impact of vitamin D levels on COVID-19 infection and mortality, adjusting for potential confounders including age, sex, and comorbidities.</jats:p>\n </jats:sec>\n <jats:sec>\n <jats:title>Results:</jats:title>\n <jats:p>Among the 481 participants (mean age 58.2 years; 66.7% female), 96 (19.96%) tested positive for COVID-19. Vitamin D level was not associated with COVID-19 infection (OR=1.00, 95% CI: 0.99–1.02, <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic>=0.687), however vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the risk of COVID-19-related mortality (OR=10.68, 95% CI: 1.18–96.45; <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic>=0.035). The mortality rate in patients aged 65–74 years was higher compared to those aged 19–44 years (OR=12.91, 95% CI: 1.29–128.83; <jats:italic toggle=\"yes\">p</jats:italic>=0.029).</jats:p>\n </jats:sec>\n <jats:sec>\n <jats:title>Conclusions:</jats:title>\n <jats:p>Vitamin D levels were not associated with susceptibility to COVID-19 infection. However, vitamin D deficiency, particularly in older patients, was associated with an increased risk of mortality among those diagnosed with COVID-19. These findings support the role of vitamin D in reducing COVID-19 mortality, and emphasize the importance of maintaining sufficient levels in high-risk populations.</jats:p>\n </jats:sec>",
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