1. Rise in Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels during the COVID-19 Pandemic.
- Author
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Durden W, Ezaldin S, Amos J, Kemper S, and Campbell J
- Subjects
- Humans, Female, Male, Retrospective Studies, Middle Aged, Adult, Pandemics, Aged, COVID-19 blood, COVID-19 epidemiology, Vitamin D blood, Vitamin D analogs & derivatives, Dietary Supplements, SARS-CoV-2, Vitamin D Deficiency blood, Vitamin D Deficiency epidemiology, Vitamin D Deficiency drug therapy
- Abstract
With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the absence of established evidence-based treatment protocols led healthcare professionals and the public to explore experimental treatments, including high doses of vitamin D supplements. This study aimed to assess changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels during the pandemic, employing a retrospective cohort analysis of data from Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC). The study analyzed serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in a cohort of 35,556 patients treated at CAMC in 2019, a representative pre-pandemic period, to 2021, a representative pandemic period. Our findings revealed a significant increase in mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels as compared with 2019 (37 ± 21 vs. 31 ± 15 ng/mL, p ≤ 0.001). Additionally, in 2021, there were significantly more patients exhibiting serum levels in the highest quintiles, specifically >100 ng/mL (1.6% vs. 0.2%), 75-100 ng/mL (4.6% vs. 1.2%), and 50-75 ng/mL (16.0% vs. 8.4%), p ≤ 0.001. This upsurge suggests increased intake of vitamin D supplements, potentially fueled by widespread discussions that were taking place largely on the internet regarding the efficacy of vitamin D against COVID-19. Our findings underscore the critical need for evidence-based public health messaging, especially during health crises, to prevent unnecessary health risks and ensure patient safety.
- Published
- 2024
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