Randomized trial of influence of vitamin D on the prevention and improvement of symptomatic COVID-19

Abstract

Abstract We aimed to investigate the preventive effect of vitamin D2 on COVID-19 and the improvement of symptoms after COVID-19 infection. The study recruited 228 health care workers who tested negative PCR or antigen for COVID-19. Subjects were randomly allocated to vitamin D2 or non-intervention at a ratio 1:1. Subjects recorded PCR or antigen tests and the symptoms of COVID-19 twice a week during the follow-up visit. The concentration of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D), C-reaction protein (CRP), complement component C1q and inflammatory cytokines were measured. The rates of COVID-19 infection were 50.5% in the vitamin D2 group and 52.4% in the non-intervention group (P = 0.785). There was no difference in the COVID-19 symptoms between the two groups. The mean 25(OH)D level significantly increased from 14.1 to 31.1 ng/mL after administration (P 30 ng/mL) and deficient groups (< 20 ng/mL). Adequate vitamin D had a tendency to prevent COVID-19. Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05673980, dated: 12/2022.

Keywords

• COVID-19
• Health care workers
• Vitamin D2
• Prevention
• Severity