Research suggests that individuals’ vitamin D levels should be checked later
. By another name
after the initial infection.
Studies have shown that it affects 50-70% of patients previously hospitalized for COVID-19, but little is known about the condition. For hospitalized COVID-19 patients, one risk factor for worse outcomes such as intubation and mechanical ventilation or death is low vitamin D levels, but its role in prolonged COVID has not been adequately investigated.
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Opening Link: Vitamin D Deficiency and Prolonged COVID
For this study, supported by Abiogen Pharma SpA, researchers from Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan examined 100 patients aged 51 to 70 years with and without COVID over a long period of time.
They measured their vitamin D levels when they were first admitted to the hospital for COVID-19 and six months after discharge. lowers vitamin D levels in long-term COVID-19 patients compared to those without.
This result was even more pronounced in patients who experienced “brain fog” symptoms such as confusion, forgetfulness, and poor concentration at the six-month follow-up.
The researchers included patients with no bone conditions and only those hospitalized for COVID-19 without ending up in intensive care units (ICUs).
They were matched for age, gender, pre-existing chronic diseases and severity of COVID-19 into two groups with and without long-term COVID.
Deficiency vs. Vulnerability: Understanding the Impact
“Previous studies on the role of vitamin D in prolonged COVID have been inconclusive, mainly due to many confounding factors,” said lead investigator Professor Andrea Giustina. “The highly controlled nature of our study helps us better understand the role of vitamin D deficiency in prolonged COVID and establishes an association between vitamin D deficiency and prolonged COVID.”
Although Professor Giustina admits that more studies are needed to confirm this connection, he and his team are now focusing on Whether vitamin D supplementation may reduce long-term risk of COVID.
“Our study shows that COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D levels are more likely to develop COVID over the long term, but it is not yet known whether vitamin D supplementation can improve symptoms or reduce this risk altogether.”
References:
- Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Prolonged COVID Syndrome in COVID-19 Survivors – (https://academic.oup.com/jcem/advance-article/doi/10.1210/clinem/dgad207/7116659)
Source: Eurekalert
