Low vitamin D levels may heighten the threat of long COVID, according to new research study from the European Congress of Endocrinology. The study discovered that those with long COVID, especially those with brain fog, had lower vitamin D levels.
Research presented at the 25th European Congress of Endocrinology in Istanbul recommends individuals with low levels of vitamin D have an increased danger of long COVID. The findings suggest that people should have their vitamin D levels examined after COVID-19.
Long COVID, also described as post-COVID-19 syndrome, is a fairly recent health condition defined by COVID-19 symptoms persisting for over 12 weeks after the preliminary infection. Studies have actually shown that this condition effects in between 50-70% of those who have actually been hospitalized due to COVID-19. Despite its frequency, our understanding of long COVID remains minimal.
One danger element for worse outcomes for hospitalized COVID-19 patients, such as intubation and mechanical ventilation or death, is low vitamin D levels, however its role in long COVID has actually not been adequately examined.
For this research study, supported by Abiogen Pharma SpA, scientists from the Vita-Salute San Raffaele University and IRCCS San Raffaele Hospital in Milan examined 100 clients aged 51-70 years, with and without long COVID. They measured their vitamin D levels when very first confessed to hospital for COVID-19 and 6 months after being discharged, and discovered lower vitamin D levels in clients with long COVID compared to those without. This result was more evident in clients who experienced brain fog symptoms, such as confusion, lapse of memory, and poor concentration, at the six-month follow-up.
“Previous studies on the role of vitamin D in long COVID were not conclusive primarily due to lots of confounding aspects,” said lead detective Professor Andrea Giustina. “The highly-controlled nature of our research study assists us better comprehend the function of vitamin D shortage in long COVID, and establish that there is likely a link between vitamin D shortage and long COVID.”
While Professor Giustina acknowledges that larger research studies are required to verify this link, he and his team are now concentrated on learning whether vitamin D supplements can reduce the danger of long COVID. “Our research study reveals that COVID-19 patients with low vitamin D levels are most likely to establish long COVID but it is not yet known whether vitamin D supplements might enhance the signs or minimize this danger altogether.”
Reference: “Low Vitamin D Levels Are Associated With Long COVID Syndrome in COVID-19 Survivor” by Luigi di Filippo, Stefano Frara, Fabrizio Nannipieri, Alice Cotellessa, Massimo Locatelli, Patrizia Rovere Querini and Andrea Giustina, 13 April 2023, The Journal of Clinical Endocrinology & & Metabolism.DOI: 10.1210/ clinem/dgad207.
They measured their vitamin D levels when first admitted to medical facility for COVID-19 and 6 months after being discharged, and found lower vitamin D levels in patients with long COVID compared to those without. “Previous research studies on the role of vitamin D in long COVID were not conclusive mainly due to many confounding factors,” said lead detective Professor Andrea Giustina. “The highly-controlled nature of our study helps us better comprehend the role of vitamin D deficiency in long COVID, and establish that there is likely a link in between vitamin D deficiency and long COVID.”