Serum level of Vitamin D is associated with COVID‑19 mortality rate in hospitalized patients

Due to widespread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID‑19) infection, identification of its risk factors and clinical characteristics are important. The aim of the present study was to assess Vitamin D levels in individuals with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus‑19 infection and to report on its potential as a predictive marker.

All patients, diagnosed with COVID‑19 infection from February 16 to March 21, 2020, and referred to Firoozgar Hospital, Tehran, Iran, were enrolled in this study. Vitamin D analysis was undertaken on patient serum samples using a commercial kit (Pars Azmoon Co., Tehran, Iran). SPSS v. 22 was used for statistical analysis.

Vitamin D serum concentration was analyzed in a total of 317 patients whose mean age ± standard deviation was 62.05 ± 15 years and with 62.5% being male. A significant association of Vitamin D level and death was observed. Higher levels of serum Vitamin D had protection against death (odds ratio = 0.955 [95% confidence interval = 0.923–0.988], P = 0.008).

As a preliminary study in the Iranian population who suffered COVID‑19 disease, we identified that Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a higher death rate and intensive care unit admission.