Vitamin D deficiency has been linked to hypertension, autoimmune, infectious and cardiovascular diseases which are risk factors for COVID-19. Moreover, COVID-19 patients have a very high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (Turin data). Taken together, we aim to investigate whether genetic variants in vitamin D-related genes contribute to a poor COVID-19 outcome, particularly in hypertension and CV patients, proposing thus a personalized therapeutics based on vitamin D supplementation in order to reduce the severity and deaths.
Collected data from Turin University indicate that hospitalized patients have a very high
prevalence of hypovitaminosis D. Reports from China and Italy show that hypertension presents
an increased risk of COVID-19-related death. Otherwise, observational studies suggest that
25(OH)D induces protection against respiratory pathogens while large-scale studies indicate
that serum 25(OH)D-level is inversely correlated to hypertension prevalence. Recent published
data (2020) shows that 66% of Portuguese adults present Vitamin D deficiency. HeartGenetics'
genetic database with more than 8.500 Portuguese genotypes shows that the prevalence of
vitamin D polymorphisms in this population is 4-fold higher than the EU average, increasing
the risk of hypovitaminosis D.
Other: Exposure
Individuals with SARS-CoV-2 exposure and COVID-19 symptoms.
Inclusion Criteria:
- Adults of 18 years and above.
- COVID-19 patients admitted with mild to severe disease (admission to isolation room)
or critical patients (admission to ICU).
- Available to comply with study protocol and sign informed consent.
Exclusion Criteria:
- Patients diagnosed with COVID-19 not admitted to hospital.
- Patients unable to provide informed consent.
Cardiovascular Center at Universidade de Lisboa
Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
Centro Hospitalar Universitário Lisboa Norte
Lisbon, Lisboa, Portugal
Centro Hospitalar de São João
Oporto, Portugal