Previous vitamin D status and total cholesterol are associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection

The relationship of vitamin D status and other biochemical parameters with the risk of SARS-CoV-2 infection remains inconclusive, especially in regions with high solar incidence. Therefore, we aimed to associate the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and lipid profile prior to the SARS-CoV-2 tests in a population from a sunny region in Brazil (5 degrees S, 35 degrees W).

This retrospective cohort study enrolled 1634 patients tested for SARS-CoV-2 of a private medical laboratory with 25(OH)D concentration and lipid profile measured ≥ 7 days before the date of the first SARS-CoV-2 RT-PCR test and were categorized according to 25(OH)D sufficiency (≥30 ng/mL) or insufficiency (<30 ng/mL). Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to assess risk factors associated with positive tests for SARS-CoV-2.

Average serum 25(OH)D was 33.6 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/mL) was only found in 2.6% of the participants. Multivariate analysis demonstrated that patients > 49 y with insufficient 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) presented increased odds to test positive for SARS-CoV-2 (OR: 2.02, 95 %CI: 1.15 to 3.55, P = 0.015). The same is observed among those with total cholesterol > 190 mg/dL (OR: 1.90, 95 %CI: 1.10 to 3.28, P = 0.020).

Previous insufficient 25(OH)D (<30 ng/mL) concentration and high total cholesterol were associated with SARS-CoV-2 infection among adults > 48 y in the study population. Further studies should be conducted to confirm whether measurement of 25(OH)D and lipid profile could be useful to identify patients who are more susceptible to COVID-19.