Author(s)

Abdul Kabir Chowdhury

Faculty of Health and Social Care, University of Chester, Chester, UK.

Background: Coronavirus is rapidly transmitted and highly infectious, and it is also associated with high morbidity and mortality but no drugs have been recognised as being effective; therefore, it is necessary to protect against serious illnesses with an intrinsic protection mechanism. In addition, Vitamin D enhances the intrinsic protection mechanism. Purpose: This study aims to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis to determine if vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of severe COVID-19 illness, providing crucial insights into the potential impact of vitamin D on disease outcomes. Methods: This study is conducted through systematic reviews and meta-analysis while following well-designed research questions. Literature searches are performed according to PRISMA guidelines with inclusion and exclusion criteria through the electronic database PubMed, CINAHL and Google Scholar. All data for meta-analysis were performed using RevMan 5.4. The software program was used for blending the statistical data and deriving the cumulative result of the intervention on concluding outcomes of interest. To analyze dichotomous data, the Mantel-Haenszel method was performed, and an odds ratio was conducted for outcome evaluation with 95% confidence interval. Results: The meta-analysis showed that there is statistically significant (P < 0.00001) Vitamin D deficiency occurred in COVID-19 patients as compared to healthy individuals (odd ratio = 2.65 [1.88, 3.73], CI 95%). It also observed that without Vitamin D supplemented COVID-19 patients needed ICU admission at a higher rate compared to Vitamin D supplemented COVID-19 patients (odd ratio 0.16 [0.02, 1.45], P = 0.10, CI 95%). But there had been no impact on mortality found through comparing group (odd ratio = 0.98 [0.32, 2.95], P = 0.97, CI 95%). Conclusion: This study indicated that Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the development of COVID-19 related serious illnesses. Also, it is highly recommended to do more randomised control trials for the establishment of this topic strongly.

COVID-19, Coronavirus, Vitamin D, Vitamin D Deficiency, ICU, Mortality

Chowdhury, A.K. (2023) The Associa-tion between Vitamin D Deficiency and Developing COVID-19 Related Serious Illnesses—A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. Advances in Infectious Diseases, 13, 452-467. https://doi.org/10.4236/aid.2023.133037