Vitamin D Levels in SARS-CoV-2: Do Current Adequacy Thresholds Reflect Clinical Risk? Insights From a Large Turkish Cohort

Purpose:

Vitamin D a steroid hormone has profound effects on human immunity. Active vitamin D, 1,25(OH)2D acts as an immune system modulator, preventing excessive expression of inflammatory cytokines and increasing the 'oxidative burst' potential of macrophages. Epidemiological data has linked vitamin D deficiency to increased susceptibility to acute viral respiratory infections.

There is evidence that some patients with severe COVID-19 experience a cytokine storm with production of large quantities of interleukins, specifically IL-1 and IL-6. Moreover it was hipotiesied that the sufficient vitamin D levels may help to decrease IL-6 levels like tocizulamab which is a potent blocking agent of the IL-6 receptor.

In this observational study, possible relation between the disease and vitamin D levels were investigated in COVİD-19 patients.

Material and Methods:

To find out vitamin D levels and it's relation with the disease severity serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels will be measured in nearly 1100 confirmed COVİD-19 patients. Same patients will also be evaluated for vital signs, laboratory and pulmoner CT findings. Demographic and medical data will also be collected. Statically significant positive or negative results and the comparison of these findings will be presented.

Presenting blood vitamin- D levels and it's possible assosiation with disease severity may inspire new perspectives for future trials spesifically focusing vitamin D levels.

To find out vitamin D levels and it's relation with the disease severity serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels, 1100 confirmed Covid-19 patients with available laboratory findings were included.

Exlucion Criterias:

Using immunsuppresan medical treatment. Using vitamin D or replacement history of vitamin D in last 3 months. Patients with malnutrition, immun deficiency, chronic infections, chronic other diseases such as rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondilitis, lupus, hemplegia, paraplegia etc.