Vitamin D deficiency, secondary hyperparathyroidism and respiratory insufficiency in hospitalized patients with COVID-19

• DOI: 10.1007/s40618-021-01535-2
• Publication Date: 2021-03-05T16:02:39Z
• Authors: G. Mazziotti; E. Lavezzi; A. Brunetti; M. Mirani; G. Favacchio; A. Pizzocaro; M. T. Sandri; A. Di Pasquale; A. Voza; M. Ciccarelli; A. G. Lania
• Keywords: 2019-20 coronavirus outbreak; Betacoronavirus

Hypovitaminosis D has emerged as potential risk factor for severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection in the general population with variable effects on the outcome of the coronavirus disease-19 (COVID-19). The aim of this retrospective single-center study was to investigate the impact of hypovitaminosis D and secondary hyperparathyroidism on respiratory outcomes of COVID-19.Three-hundred-forty-eight consecutive patients hospitalized for COVID-19 at the IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital, Rozzano, Milan (Italy) were evaluated for arterial partial pressure oxygen (PaO2)/fraction of inspired oxygen (FiO2) ratio, serum 25hydroxy-vitamin D [25(OH)D], parathyroid hormone (PTH) and inflammatory parameters at study entry and need of ventilation during the hospital stay.In the entire population, vitamin D deficiency (i.e., 25(OH)D values < 12 ng/mL) was significantly associated with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure at the study entry [adjusted odds ratio (OR) 2.48, 95% confidence interval 1.29-4.74; P = 0.006], independently of age and sex of subjects, serum calcium and inflammatory parameters. In patients evaluated for serum PTH (97 cases), secondary hyperparathyroidism combined with vitamin D deficiency was significantly associated with acute hypoxemic respiratory failure at study entry (P = 0.001) and need of ventilation during the hospital stay (P = 0.031).This study provides evidence that vitamin D deficiency, when associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism, may negatively impact the clinical outcome of SARS-CoV-2-related pneumonia.