Baseline serum vitamin A and vitamin C levels and their association with disease severity in COVID-19 patients

• Published in: Acta bio-medica : Atenei Parmensis Vol. 94; no. 1; p. e2023007
• Main Authors: Yilmaz, Gulseren, Bulut, Huri, Ozden Omaygenc, Derya, Akca, Aysu, Can, Esra, Tuten, Nevin, Bestel, Aysegul, Erdem, Baki, Atmaca, Uygar Ozan, Kara, Yasin, Kaya, Ebru, Unsel, Murat, Sahin, Ayca Sultan, Salihoglu, Ziya
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Italy Mattioli 1885 13-02-2023
• Subjects: Ascorbic Acid; COVID-19 - complications; Humans; Original Investigations/Commentaries; Patient Acuity; Vitamin A; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency - complications; Vitamins
• ISSN: 0392-4203; 2531-6745
• DOI: 10.23750/abm.v94i1.13655

We aimed to investigate the association between the serum concentrations of Vitamin A and Vitamin C and the severity of the COVID-19.  Methods: Fifty-three consecutive PCR (+) COVID-19 patients admitted to a dedicated ward were enrolled in this study. Blood samples for serum Vitamin A and C measurements were drawn from all participants upon admission. All subjects underwent thoracic CT imaging prior to hospitalization. CT severity score (CT-SS) was then calculated for determining the extent of pulmonary involvement. A group of healthy volunteers, in whom COVID-19 was ruled out, were assigned to the control group (n=26). These groups were compared by demographic features and serum vitamin A and C levels. The relationship between serum concentrations of these vitamins and pre-defined outcome measures, CT-SS and length of hospitalization (LOH), was also assessed.  Results: In COVID-19 patients, serum Vitamin A (ng/ml, 494±96 vs. 698±93; p<0.001) and Vitamin C (ng/ml, 2961 [1991-31718] vs. 3953 [1385-8779]; p=0.007) levels were significantly lower with respect to healthy controls. According to the results of correlation analyses, there was a significant negative association between Vitamin A level and outcome measures (LOH, r=-0.293; p=0.009 and CT-SS, r=-0.289; p=0.010). The negative correlations between Vitamin C level and those measures were even more prominent (LOH, r=-0.478; p<0.001 and CT-SS, r=-0.734: p<0.001).
COVID-19 patients had lower baseline serum Vitamin A and Vitamin C levels as compared to healthy controls. In subjects with COVID-19, Vitamin A and Vitamin C levels were negatively correlated with CT-SS and LOH.