Plasma 25(OH)D Level is Associated with the Nucleic Acid Negative Conversion Time of COVID-19 Patients: An Exploratory Study

PURPOSE: Vitamin D, an essential nutrient and a pleiotropic steroid hormone, has been reported to be associated with the risk and severity in patients infected with Coronavirus Disease-2019 (COVID-19). The role of vitamin D in predicting clinical outcome for COVID-19 patients is unknown. Here, we aimed to determine the prognostic value of plasma 25(OH)D level in COVID-19 patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 158 patients infected with novel COVID-19 Omicron variants in Shanghai were recruited in this study and were categorized into three groups by the tertile levels of plasma 25(OH)D. Plasma 25(OH)D level was determined along with routine blood tests related to liver and renal functions in newly diagnosed COVID-19 patients at admission. The nucleic acid negative conversion time of throat swab samples was evaluated as the primary clinical outcome. The prognostic value of clinical characteristics and plasma 25(OH)D level was assessed using the Kaplan–Meier plot and Cox proportional hazards regression tests. RESULTS: Higher level of plasma 25(OH)D level in COVID-19 patients was independently associated with shorter nucleic acid negative conversion time from COVID-19 infection (multivariate adjusted HR: 0.54, 95%CI: 0.35–0.82, P=0.004, tertile 2 vs 1; multivariate adjusted HR: 0.60, 95%CI: 0.39–0.90, P=0.014, tertile 3 vs 1). CONCLUSION: Plasma 25(OH)D level may serve as an independent prognostic factor in COVID-19 patient. Our findings indicate the protective roles of vitamin D supplementation in the regiment of patients with COVID-19.