COVID patients with poor prognosis have significantly lower serum levels of vitamin D compared to those with good prognosis, according to new data from a systematic review that pulled data from seven previous studies into its meta analysis. A total of 1,368 COVID-19 patients were included in the pooled results. Those with poor prognosis had an average vitamin D difference of -5.12 nmol/L (2.05 ng/mL), p=0.012, suggesting that even small corrections could have a beneficial impact on outcomes.
According to the authors: “Despite vitamin D promoting the expression of several inflammatory cytokines via T-cell inactivation and interferon-gamma activation25, it simultaneously down-regulates pro-inflammatory markers interleukin-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha the two key cytokines involved with the development of the “cytokine storm” that precedes ARDS.”
https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1002/jmv.26360