Higher 25(OH)D Levels at Admission Predict a Favorable Disease Evolution in Moderate-to-Severe COVID-19 Patients
Year: 2026
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Research into effective predictive markers and therapeutic interventions for COVID-19 remains of considerable interest. Vitamin D may be relevant, especially in frail populations in whom deficiency is more prevalent. In this prospective observational cohort study, 139 patients with moderate-to-severe COVID-19 who were hospitalized during the third wave of the pandemic in Italy were enrolled. Plasma vitamin D concentrations (both 25-hydroxyvitamin D-25(OH)D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D-1,25(OH)2D) together with parathyroid hormone levels were measured using a chemiluminescent assay validated for clinical use on automated laboratory platforms. Plasma vitamin D levels were below the sufficiency threshold. Notably, 25(OH)D concentrations were significantly lower in patients who experienced a negative outcome (11.10 [8.80–16.20] vs. 15.25 [9.90–24.80] ng/mL, p = 0.0450) and significantly higher in patients with rapid clinical recovery (15.25 [10.70–24.80] vs. 13.30 [7.47–19.60] ng/mL, p = 0.0446) compared with all other patients. Through multivariable logistic regression analysis, higher 25(OH)D levels at the time of hospitalization were confirmed as an independent predictor of favorable outcome. A plasma 25(OH)D concentration above 11.10 ng/mL predicted favorable disease resolution, with a positive likelihood ratio of 1.40 (IQR: 1.05–1.87). In conclusion, our findings support plasma vitamin D levels as an independent predictor of clinical outcomes in patients hospitalized with COVID-19 pneumonia.
DOI: 10.3390/ijms27083541
Authors: Manuela Rizzi, Federica Vincenzi, Stelvio Tonello, Eleonora Rizzi, Giuseppe Francesco Casciaro, Erica Matino, Martina Costanzo, Erika Zecca, Alessandro Croce, Anita Pedrinelli, Veronica Vassia, Raffaella Landi, Iris Zeqaj, Francesca Boccafoschi, Paolo Amedeo Tillio, Roberta Rolla, Umberto Dianzani, Luigi Mario Castello, Mario Pirisi, Donato Colangelo, Pier Paolo Sainaghi
Language: English
Topic: Vitamin D Research Studies
Subfield: Pathology and Forensic Medicine
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,499
Funder: Ministero della Salute
OpenAlex ID: W7154635197