Baseline serum vitamin A and vitamin C levels and their association with disease severity in COVID-19 patients Serum Vitamin A and C levels and COVID-19 severity

Main Article Content

Gulseren Yilmaz https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2984-156X
Huri Bulut https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2706-9625
Derya Ozden Omaygenc https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1037-8915
Aysu Akca https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8644-7908
Esra Can https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7851-4026
Nevin Tuten https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8609-4770
Aysegul Bestel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0700-6400
Baki Erdem https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6407-8718
Uygar Ozan Atmaca https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7823-4400
Yasin Kara https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9723-1774
Ebru Kaya https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9506-0756
Murat Unsel https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2786-6811
Ayca Sultan Sahin https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7765-5297
Ziya Salihoglu https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6905-2664

Keywords

Ascorbic acid, COVID-19, Hospital stay, Pulmonary disease, Vitamin A

Abstract

Aim: We aimed to investigate the association between the serum concentrations of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and the severity of the COVID-19. 


Methods: Fifty-three consecutive PCR (+) COVID-19 patients admitted to a dedicated ward were enrolled in this study. Blood samples for serum Vitamin A and C measurements were drawn from all participants upon admission. All subjects underwent thoracic CT imaging prior to hospitalization. CT severity score (CT-SS) was then calculated for determining the extent of pulmonary involvement. A group of healthy volunteers, in whom COVID-19 was ruled out, were assigned to the control group (n=26). These groups were compared by demographic features and serum vitamin A and C levels. The relationship between serum concentrations of these vitamins and pre-defined outcome measures, CT-SS and length of hospitalization (LOH), was also assessed. 


Results: In COVID-19 patients, serum Vitamin A (ng/ml, 494±96 vs. 698±93; p<0.001) and Vitamin C (ng/ml, 2961 [1991-31718] vs. 3953 [1385-8779]; p=0.007) levels were significantly lower with respect to healthy controls. According to the results of correlation analyses, there was a significant negative association between Vitamin A level and outcome measures (LOH, r=-0.293; p=0.009 and CT-SS, r=-0.289; p=0.010). The negative correlations between Vitamin C level and those measures were even more prominent (LOH, r=-0.478; p<0.001 and CT-SS, r=-0.734: p<0.001).


Conclusion: COVID-19 patients had lower baseline serum Vitamin A and Vitamin C levels as compared to healthy controls. In subjects with COVID-19, Vitamin A and Vitamin C levels were negatively correlated with CT-SS and LOH.

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