25-Hydroxyvitamin D Concentrations Are Lower in Patients with Positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Retrospective observational comparison of PCR-positive versus PCR-negative patients.
PubMed 32397511 · doi:10.3390/nu12051359
What was done
Researchers retrospectively measured plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations in a cohort of patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR in Switzerland, comparing levels between PCR-positive and PCR-negative individuals, with further stratification for patients older than 70 years.
What was found
Patients who tested positive for SARS-CoV-2 by PCR had significantly lower median 25(OH)D concentrations (11.1 ng/mL) than PCR-negative patients (24.6 ng/mL; p = 0.004). This significant difference persisted when evaluating patients aged >70 years.
Why it matters
This study provides early preliminary evidence linking lower circulating vitamin D levels with SARS-CoV-2 PCR positivity, supporting the rationale for prospective trials on vitamin D supplementation.
Limits
The abstract omits total sample size, demographics, and timing of blood sampling relative to infection. As a retrospective observational study, it cannot establish causality, rule out confounding, or exclude reverse causation where acute infection lowers plasma 25(OH)D levels.
Cited by
- supports A study showed that symptomatic patients who tested positive for COVID-19 had significantly lower vitamin D levels than symptomatic patients who tested negative.