Investigation of the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in hospitalized
Covid-19 patients and its association with disease severity, outcome,
and mortality
Abstract
Background: In this study, we aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin
D deficiency in hospitalized Covid-19 patients and demonstrate its
association with severity and mortality of the disease. Methods: This
observational study at Ziaeian Hospital, Tehran, Iran. Of all confirmed
Covid-19 patients who were admitted to this hospital 276 patients were
enrolled in this study and divided into two groups; 145 patients in
group1 with a serum 25(OH)D level >20 ng/ml and 131
patients in group 2 with a serum 25 (OH)D level =<20 ng/ml.
The severity, outcome, and mortality of Covid-19 disease were compared
in these two groups, based on chest CT scans findings, laboratory data,
and patient’ vital signs on admission day, and the duration of
hospitalization, requirement to ICU admission, need for intubation, and
mortality. Results: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 22.1 %,
and vitamin D insufficiency by definition of serum 25(OH)D levels 12-20
ng/ml was 25.4%. Despite, an increase in serum levels of CPK, Ferritin,
LDH, CRP, D-dimer, AST, and ALT, there was not any significant
relationship between serum level of 25(OH)D with laboratory tests, chest
CT scan scores, and patient’s vital signs on admission day by univariate
and multivariate analysis. The odds of incidence of ICU admission,
mechanical ventilation, and mortality were higher in group 2 which was
not statistically significant by univariate and multivariate analysis,
but the mortality was significantly higher in subgroup 2 by multivariate
regression analysis. Conclusions: This study showed that vitamin D
deficiency was associated with a higher mortality rate, while could not
show any significant association between serum 25(OH)D levels with the
incidence of ICU admission, need for mechanical ventilation, and length
of hospital stay, also we did not find any significant relationship with
laboratory tests, radiologic findings, and patient’s vital signs on
admission day.