The role of vitamin D in prevention OF COVID-19 and its severity: an umbrella review: Vitamin D versus COVID-19: an Umbrella review

Lory Marika Margarucci; Enrico Montanari; Gianluca Gianfranceschi; Claudio Caprara; Federica Valeriani; Antonio Piccolella; Valentina Lombardi; Elena Scaramucci; Vincenzo Romano Spica

doi:10.23750/abm.v92iS6.12216

The role of vitamin D in prevention OF COVID-19 and its severity: an umbrella review

Vitamin D versus COVID-19: an Umbrella review

Authors

Lory Marika Margarucci University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
Enrico Montanari Scientific direction of “Elixir di Salute”, Bologna, Italy
Gianluca Gianfranceschi University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
Claudio Caprara Scientific direction of “Elixir di Salute”, Bologna, Italy
Federica Valeriani University of Rome "Foro Italico", Rome, Italy
Antonio Piccolella University Hospital “Agostino Gemelli” Foundation, Rome, Italy
Valentina Lombardi University of Rome Tre, Rome, Italy
Elena Scaramucci Sant'Andrea Hospital A.O.U., Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
Vincenzo Romano Spica University of Rome "Foro Italico"

DOI: https://doi.org/10.23750/abm.v92iS6.12216

Keywords:

Coronavirus, COVID-19, Immunity, Infection, Mortality, Severity, Suscetibility, Vitamin D

Abstract

Background and aim. Vitamin D is known to modulate immune response and its deficiency was associated with respiratory distress in patients hospitalized for pneumonia. Nevertheless, numerous reviews on vitamin D in COVID-19 patients have shown conflicting results, as previously reported also for other respiratory diseases (e.g., influenza). Methods. This umbrella review aims to assess whether low serum 25-OHD is associated with susceptibility to COVID 19, their severity, and mortality. A total of 1559 studies were excluded after the title, abstract and full-text articles screening and 9 papers were included in this review: 2 systematic reviews and 7 metanalysis. Results. The findings of this review that summarized studies from 5 WHO regions (European Region, Region of the Americas, South-East Asia Region, Eastern Mediterranean Region, Western Pacific Region) to exclusion only African region, show that low serum 25-OHD levels are associated with higher infection risks for COVID-19. Conclusions. Although the umbrella findings indicate a potential role of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 severity in hospitalized patients and showing an association between Vitamin D supplementation and COVID-19 severity, however, more robust data from randomized controlled trials are further needed to confirm a possible association with the mortality rates.

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