Association between Vitamin D and COVID-19: a systematic review and
meta-analysis
Abstract
Aim. Assess the association of plasma vitamin D levels or vitamin D
supplementation in the outcomes of COVID- 19. Methods. PubMed, EMBASE,
and Cochrane Library databases were searched. Studies with COVID-19
patients that reported an association between plasma vitamin D levels or
vitamin D supplementation and mortality, need of hospitalization, ICU
admission, or ventilation requirement published until December 8, 2020,
were included. The risk ratio (RR) and confidence interval (CI) were
pooled using a fixed-effects model. Results. A total of 16 studies were
included in the meta-analysis, eleven cohorts, one case-control, one
randomized clinical trial, and two quasi-experimental studies. Low
plasma vitamin D levels in patients with COVID-19 were associated with
mortality (RR=1.42, 95%CI 1.14 – 1.71), need for ICU admission
(RR=1.76, 95%CI 1.03-2.49), and need for ventilation (RR=3.58, 95%CI
1.45-5.70). Regular supplementation showed a decreased risk of death,
and vitamin D supplementation in patients with COVID-19 showed a
decrease in the need for ICU admission. Conclusion. Sufficient vitamin D
level is associated with better outcomes in patients with COVID-19.
Vitamin D supplementation in patients with COVID-19 appears to reduce
the risk of ICU admission and regular supplementation reduces mortality.