SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates associated with circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Infectious Diseases
• Public Health

Background:

• The COVID-19 pandemic necessitates exploring non-pharmaceutical interventions to reduce infection rates.
• Circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels are influenced by various factors and may play a role in immune response.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between circulating 25(OH)D levels and severe acute respiratory disease coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) positivity rates.
• To determine if this association varies across different demographic groups and geographic locations.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational analysis of deidentified data from over 190,000 patients across the US.
• Matching SARS-CoV-2 test results with 25(OH)D levels from the preceding 12 months.
• Statistical analysis including multivariable logistic regression, controlling for demographic factors and latitude.

Main Results:

• A significant inverse association was found between 25(OH)D levels and SARS-CoV-2 positivity rates (R² = 0.96).
• Patients with "deficient" 25(OH)D levels (<20 ng/mL) had higher positivity rates (12.5%) compared to those with "adequate" (8.1%) or high (5.9%) levels.
• This inverse relationship persisted across all analyzed demographic strata and latitudes.

Conclusions:

• Circulating 25(OH)D levels are strongly and inversely associated with SARS-CoV-2 positivity.
• Higher vitamin D levels may be protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• Further research into vitamin D supplementation for COVID-19 prevention is warranted.