Plasma Vitamin D level in Patients with SARS-CoV-2 Infection: Does it Correlates With the Increased Risk of Infection?

Abstract

Background: COVID-19 is a widespread viral disease that has severely affected our world. Although beneficial effects of vitamin D on immune system are well known, there are ongoing discussions about its role in patients suffering from SARS-CoV-2 infection. In this study, we examined the relationship between risk of COVID-19 infection and plasma vitamin D level.Methods: This case-control study was conducted on 133 participants in Kerman city, Iran. SARS-CoV-2 infection was confirmed by positive RT-Real time PCR test in 69 cases and another 64 participants were considered as - non-infected - control group. Plasma vitamin D levels were measured among all, and compared.Results: Sub-normal plasma vitamin D level were reported in about 51% of participants; however, there was no significant difference in the mean plasma vitamin D levels between COVID-19 and control groups. Mean plasma levels of vitamin D were significantly higher in females than males (P-value: 0.017).Conclusion: According to our results, risk of COVID-19 infection does not correlate with plasma level of vitamin D.

Keywords

• keywords: covid-19
• disease severity
• pneumonia
• sars-cov-2
• vitamin d deficiency