Vitamin D, A Predictor of Outcome in COVID-19 Patients

Abstract

Introduction: Hypovitaminosis D is a commonly associated with increased prevalence of pulmonary  infections. High mortality rate of  COVID 19 infections is associated with immune dysfunction like cytokine storm. Many studies show important function of vitamin D in proper functioning of immune system.  Very few studies are available to associate vitamin D level and severity of Covid infection, Hence this study was undertaken  to find a relation of vitamin D levels and outcome of COVID-19. Methods: Study design is retrospective observational analytical case control. A study population  was hospital base cases and medical examination with clear definition of cases, medical examination, inclusion/ exclusion criteria, outcome and exposure. The Statistical analysis was done to  measure the  association  of outcome (the death or severe disease risk ) with exposure (low vitamin D) and that was determined by measuring  Odds ratio. Results: Most of the patients (45%) were in an age ranging from 40 to 59 years . Maximum number of the patients (68%) have one comorbidity. Diabetes mellitus and hypertension , both present in 28 % and other co morbidity in 40 % of patients and 32% of patient reported to have no comorbidities.  Present study reveals vitamin D deficiency in around for 74% of patients. Most of the patients were managed without supplementation of oxygen, but few needed high flow oxygen and even invasive ventilation. However prognosis was good. COVID-19 deaths occurred only in 2% of the cases.  All  dead patients and patients with a severe disease had vitamin D deficiency. This association of hypovitaminosis D was more significant than other co morbidities including hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Conclusions: Our study concluded that, two third of patients were having vitamin  D deficiency. Study clearly depicts severe vitamin D deficiency is associated with fatal cases,  therefore  vitamin D level can be used as a predictor of mortality.