Journal
HEALTH SECURITY
Volume 19, Issue 3, Pages 302-308Publisher
MARY ANN LIEBERT, INC
DOI: 10.1089/hs.2020.0137
Keywords
COVID-19; Vitamin D; Public health preparedness; response; SARS; Infectious disease
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Funding
- Research and Technology Council of Cuyo University
- Mendoza, Argentina [PICT 2016-4541]
- National Agency for Scientific and Technological Promotion (ANPCYT) through the Scientific and Technological Research Fund (FONCYT) [IP-COVID-19-931]
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Vitamin D plays a crucial role in immune defenses, with deficiency potentially increasing the risk of contracting COVID-19. This study found a widespread prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with COVID-19 incidence, severity, and mortality.
Each patient's immune defenses play a major role in mitigating the impact (ie, morbidity and mortality) of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), the virus responsible for coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Vitamin D is an important modulator of the immune system. Although serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels can be raised through diet or supplements, most vitamin D in the body is the result of dermal synthesis from ultraviolet radiation. The production of vitamin D in the skin, however, can be limited by latitude, skin-covering clothes, the use of sunblock, and skin pigmentation. Vitamin D deficiency affects a high percentage of the world population. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are suboptimal, not only in specific risk groups but also in adults from many countries. Low vitamin D levels, therefore, represent a risk factor for several different pathologies, including SAR-CoV-2. This study used an ecological design to assess the association between vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 incidence, complications, and mortality across 46 countries. All data were obtained from published sources. The results of the study suggest an association at the population level between the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the risk of being infected with COVID-19, severity of the disease, and risk of dying from it.
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