Perspective: Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 severity - plausibly linked by latitude, ethnicity, impacts on cytokines, ACE2 and thrombosis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus infection ranges from asymptomatic through to fatal COVID-19 characterized by a 'cytokine storm' and lung failure. Vitamin D deficiency has been postulated as a determinant of severity.

Objectives

To review the evidence relevant to vitamin D and COVID-19.

Methods

Narrative review.

Results

Regression modelling shows that more northerly countries in the Northern Hemisphere are currently (May 2020) showing relatively high COVID-19 mortality, with an estimated 4.4% increase in mortality for each 1 degree latitude north of 28 degrees North (P = 0.031) after adjustment for age of population. This supports a role for ultraviolet B acting via vitamin D synthesis. Factors associated with worse COVID-19 prognosis include old age, ethnici

SUBMITTER: Rhodes JM 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7361294 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature