Effects of vitamin D on the incidence and severity of COVID-19

Abstract

In the fall of 2023, infection of a number of European countries population with coronavirus intensified, with the most noticeable increase in incidence observed in the Russian Federation. Patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 usually have a low level and high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency. Data from measurements of vitamin D levels in the municipalities of the Khanty-Mansiysk autonomous Okrug — Ugra, compared with information from the department of health of the autonomous okrug based on the results of 2021, suggest that in the Khanty-Mansi autonomous Okrug — Ugra, the average duration of one case of disability due to illness with a diagnosis of COVID-19 is directly proportional to the prevalence of severe vitamin D deficiency. Our data characterizing the positive effect of a high level of vitamin D in the blood serum of a patient infected SARS-CoV-2, on the body’s ability to recover, is confirmed in foreign clinical practice, as evidenced by the results of our statistical calculations. In the Russian Federation, the dependence of the overall incidence of COVID-19 is directly proportional to the geographical latitude of the territory, and the relationship b etween the parameters is extremely high (p = 0.0008 in 2021 and p < 0.000001 in 2022), which, along with other reasons, suggests the effect of ultraviolet radiation level decrease. Vitamin D levels are one of the key factors in the incidence of COVID-19, as it has a major impact on its duration, more severe lung damage, and higher mortality in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2. Clinical studies by domestic and foreign scientists have shown that severe vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D < 10 ng/ml] in patients infected with SARS-CoV-2 can be considered a predictor of death. During the COVID-19 pandemic, enormous positive experience has been gained in the use of vitamin D as a therapeutic agent to reduce the severity of the disease and the level of hospital mortality, however, in order to prepare informed recommendations for taking medications and identify severe vitamin D deficiency, mandatory measurement of 25(OH)D levels in patients is required in patients diagnosed with SARS-CoV-2 infection.