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No evidence that vitamin D is able to prevent or affect the severity of COVID-19 in individuals with European ancestry: a Mendelian randomisation study of open data
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  • Published on: 30 June 2021
    Small differences = no effects

    The authors report data on genetically determined Vitamin D levels and their association with SARS-CoV-2 infection and severe COVID-19 courses. They conclude: "In conclusion, we found no evidence that vitamin D is protective against SARS-CoV-2 infection or COVID-19 severity. "

    The main problem of this analysis from GWAS data is, that the observed difference between Vitamin D-levels in quartile 1 (45,6 nmol/l = 18 ng/ml) and quartile 4 (54,0 nmol/l = 21,6 ng/ml) is so small, that no one would it expect to have an effect on the predefined endpoints.

    In order to achieve optimum immune responses, a Vitamin D-level of at least 75 nmol/l, preferably >100 nmol/l would be required.
    So, as much as this study seems to give an evidence-based conclusion, it is not helpful at all to answer important questions for clinicians:

    1) Does Vitamin D-supplementation to achieve OPTIMUM Vitamin D levels reduce the likelihood of SARS-CoV-2 infection?

    2) Does a high-dose vitamin D therapy (like 3x 40 000 IU in week 1) in early SARS-CoV-2 infection prevent severe courses of COVID-19, as it was suggested by the randomised intervention study by Castillo et al.

    From a clinician’s standpoint, to me it seems clear, that all people should be advised to treat a Vitamin D deficiency of < 75 nmol/l or 30 ng/ml, as there are virtually no risks of Vitamin D supplementation, and possibly many benefits in this Pandemic situation, especially in the immunoc...

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    Conflict of Interest:
    None declared.