Title:The Biochemical Parameters and Vitamin D Levels in ICU Patients with
Covid-19: A Cross-Sectional Study
Volume: 21
Issue: 12
Author(s): Hamed Abdollahi, Farahnaz Salehinia, Mostafa Badeli, Elmira Karimi, Hossein Gandomkar, Amin Asadollahi, Mohsen Sedighiyan and Mina Abdolahi*
Affiliation:
- Amir Alam Hospital Complexes, Sa'adi Street, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran,Iran
Keywords:
Vitamin D, Covid-19, hyponatremia, risk factors, demographic, biochemical.
Abstract: Background: In Covid-19 infection, leukopenia, inflammation, and elevated liver enzymes
are found in most patients. Also, vitamin D deficiency attenuates the immune system and
predisposes a person to being more susceptible to infection. In this context, we aimed to evaluate vitamin
D, electrolytes, complete blood count, liver enzymes, urea, creatinine, albumin, CRP and
ESR levels in patients with Covid-19.
Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on 118 patients with Covid-19 who were hospitalized
from 2020/2/19 to 2020/4/3 in ICU. Serum levels of electrolytes, liver enzymes, blood factors,
urea, creatinine, CRP and ESR, as well as anthropometric parameters and serum vitamin D concentration,
were measured.
Results: A total of 118 patients (80 male and 38 female) were enrolled in the study (65.05±15.75
years). Only 5.08% of patients had no risk factors and 55.9% had ≥ 2 risk factors. Diabetes
(44.1%) and obesity (23.7%) were more common among patients. Laboratory findings showed that
80.50% of patients had hyponatremia, but other electrolytes including K, Mg, Ca and P were normal
in the majority of participants as well as CBC, Cr, Urea, Alb, ALT and ALKP. The AST concentration
increased in most patients (66.94%). All patients had high levels of inflammatory factors
such as CRP and ESR. The mean of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels in participants (25.95 ± 14.56
ng/mL) was lower than its levels in the general population. However, it was not statistically significant
(P= 0.88). A significant negative correlation was found between vitamin D and ALT (P= 0.02,
-0.21) as well as vitamin D and CRP (P= 0.05, -0.17).
Conclusion: Due to the regulatory role of vitamin D in the immune system and low levels of vitamin
D in Covid-19 infected patients, the evaluation of vitamin D levels and prescribed supplements,
if necessary, is suggested.
