PREVALENCE OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN HOSPITALIZED COVID-19 PATIENTS

Introduction: The emergence of the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic presented numerous challenges, including identifying disease predictors and developing effective therapeutic options. Numerous studies have reported the potential protective effect of vitamin D (VD) against respiratory infections. However, the literature remains inconclusive regarding the benefits of VD on COVID-19 progression. Objectives: This study aimed to assess the prevalence of VD deficiency (VDD) and its association with COVID-19 severity in hospitalized patients. Methods: prospective cohort study. We enrolled 250 adults (>= 50 years) of both sexes with COVID-19 admitted between 2020-09-01 and 2021-06-31. VD levels, comorbidities, inflammatory markers, oxygen or mechanical ventilation needs, ICU admission, and mortality were analyzed. VDD was defined as <20 ng/mL. The association between VD value and death was evaluated with a logistic regression model. Results: Mean age was 73.4 +/- 11 years, and 49% males. Median VD level was 20.2 ng/mL. The prevalence of VDD was 49.2% (n 123; CI95 43-55.4%). Hypovitaminosis D (<30 ng/mL) was observed in 77.2%. Patients with VDD had a higher Charlson index (p=0.02). VD levels did not correlate with oxygen saturation, inflammatory markers, or severity events (mechanical ventilation, ICU admission and death). In a mortality analysis, VD level was not a prognostic factor (OR 0.98 CI 0.95-1; p 0.1). Conclusion: The prevalence of VDD in our cohort was 49.2%. We found no association between VD levels and COVID-19 severity, similar to several published studies.