Association of Baseline Serum Vitamins A and C with Disease Severity in COVID-19 Patients
Keywords:
COVID-19, Vitamin A, Vitamin C, Micronutrients, InflammationAbstract
Background: Vitamin C and vitamin A are essential micronutrients in modulating the immune system and antioxidant defense. Lack of these micronutrients may contribute to adverse effects of viral infections, including COVID-19. Objective: To identify baseline serum concentrations of vitamin C and vitamin A and their correlation with disease severity in COVID-19 patients. Methodology: For the current study, 120 patients with confirmed COVID-19 were included and classified into mild (n = 34), moderate (n = 38), severe (n = 30), and critical (n = 18) groups based on WHO criteria. Demographic and clinical data at baseline were recorded. Serum vitamin A and C concentrations at admission were measured. Deficiency was defined as <0.70 µmol/L for vitamin A and <11 µmol/L for vitamin C. Results: Mean vitamin A and C levels gradually reduced with increasing disease severity (p < 0.001). Vitamin A deficiency was found in 8.8% of mild and 50.0% of critical patients, and vitamin C deficiency increased from 2.9% in mild to 38.9% in critical patients. Logistic regression proved that higher vitamin A (adjusted OR: 0.75 per 0.1 µmol/L, p = 0.002) and vitamin C (adjusted OR: 0.82 per 5 µmol/L, p = 0.004) levels were independently protective against severe/critical illness, in addition to age and diabetes as risk factors. Conclusion: Lower baseline serum levels of vitamin A and vitamin C show a high correlation with severity of COVID-19. Micronutrient deficiency may enhance inflammation, oxidative stress, and disease severity.References
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