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The Association of Vitamin D Receptor Polymorphisms with COVID-19 Severity

Nikolaos Tentolouris1, Charoula Achilla2, Ioanna A Anastasiou1

  • 11st Department of Propaedeutic and Internal Medicine, Laiko University Hospital, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 115 27 Athens, Greece.

Nutrients
|March 13, 2024
PubMed

Insights

The CC genotype of the TaqI polymorphism in the vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene is linked to a higher risk of severe COVID-19. This finding holds true regardless of age, sex, or inflammation levels.

Area of Science:

  • Genetics
  • Immunology
  • Epidemiology

Background:

  • Vitamin D receptor (VDR) gene polymorphisms have shown inconsistent associations with COVID-19 severity across populations.
  • Previous studies yielded conflicting results regarding the role of VDR gene variants in COVID-19 outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between specific VDR gene polymorphisms and COVID-19 severity in a Caucasian Greek cohort.
  • To determine if VDR gene variants influence the risk of developing severe COVID-19.

Main Methods:

  • A case-control study involving 137 COVID-19 patients and 72 healthy controls in Greece.
  • Genotyping of VDR single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) including FokI, ApaI, TaqI, and BsmI using PCR-RFLPs.
  • Statistical analysis, including multivariate analysis, to assess the association between VDR genotypes and COVID-19 severity, adjusting for confounders.

Main Results:

  • The TaqI variant (rs731236) showed differential distribution between COVID-19 patients and controls (p=0.009).
  • The TaqI CC genotype was significantly associated with increased risk for severe COVID-19 (OR: 2.52, p=0.01) in a recessive model.
  • Multivariate analysis confirmed the association between TaqI polymorphism (recessive model) and COVID-19 severity, even after adjusting for age, sex, and CRP levels (Adj.OR: 3.23, p=0.023).

Conclusions:

  • The CC genotype of the TaqI polymorphism is a significant risk factor for severe COVID-19.
  • This association is independent of patient age, sex, and the degree of inflammation (CRP levels).
Abstract

Keywords:
COVID-19Greek populationseverityvitamin D receptor polymorphisms

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