What is the Impact of Vitamin D Levels on COVID-19 Severity?: A Systematic Review

ABSTRACT

Objective: We assessed studies probing at vitamin D deficiencies in both positive and negative COVID-19 cases. Methods: We measured mean, standard deviations, and 95% Confidence Interval (CI) of many studies to determine if there is a consistent relationship between vitamin D levels and COVID-19. Independent sample t-test compared non-survivors vs. survivors of COVID-19 and vitamin D levels, and moderate vs. severe COVID-19 symptoms and vitamin D levels. Results: We evaluated the difference in vitamin D levels (serum 25(OH)D, nmol/L) among those who tested positive for COVID-19 to those who tested negative. The average median serum 25(OH)D, nmol/L for patients who tested positive was 27.08 nmol/L (± 0.58 SD, 95% CI 1.88) and the average median of serum 25(OH)D, nmol/L for patients who tested negative was 48.67 nmol/L (± 13.66 SD, 95% CI 2.17) this difference was near significant (p=0.059). When looking at the relationship between vitamin D levels and severity of COVID-19 progression the result was not statistically significant, t(df)=0.84, p=0.216. When comparing the average values of vitamin D level among those who survived COVID-19 vs. those who did not the results were not statistically significant, t(269)=0.17, p=0.438. Conclusion: There seems to be a correlation between vitamin D deficiency and likelihood of developing severe illness of COVID-19 when observing studies individually. However, when comparing studies on a larger scale it seems that the significant difference seems to fade. [ FROM AUTHOR] Copyright of eLife is the property of eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd. and its content may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder's express written permission. However, users may print, download, or email articles for individual use. This may be abridged. No warranty is given about the accuracy of the copy. Users should refer to the original published version of the material for the full . (Copyright applies to all s.)