Level of serum 25(OH) vitamin D among hospitalized COVID-19 patients in Iraq, Diwaniyah city

Introduction: COVID-19 is an emerging viral infection whose pathogenic mechanisms are not well understood. Interestingly, Vitamin D deficiency and COVID-19 share prevalence patterns for hypertension, diabetes, obesity, advanced age, and male sex. Vitamin D deficiency can contribute to our understanding of COVID-19 health disparities. Patients and methods: a cross sectional study involving 100 adult hospitalized patients with positive PCR for COVID-19 at Diwaniyah teaching Hospital / Shiffaa center, Diwaniyah, Iraq, during a period of 3 months. The serum 25 OH-D level was measured and Vitamin D deficiency, defined as a 25(OH) D level < 20 ng/mL, and insufficiency define as a 25(OH)D level 30-20 ng/mL. History of some other underlying health diseases (diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypothyroidism and gastro esophageal reflux disease) was taken directly from the patients. The data was analyzed using SPSS version 26 and the study aimed to measure serum vitamin D level among COVID-19 patients. Result: The mean ± SD age was 38.8±13.7 years ranging between 18- 67 years. The mean±SD of 25(OH)D levels was 20.2±16 ng/mL. Vitamin D deficiency was present in 58 patients and vit D insufficiency was found in 25 patients.