Publication date: Jul 28, 2024

This study evaluated the effectiveness of high-dose vitamin D supplementation in alleviating fatigue and neuropsychiatric symptoms in post-COVID syndrome. In an 8-week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial, 80 patients with post-COVID fatigue or neuropsychiatric symptoms were enrolled. Participants were randomly assigned to receive either 60,000 IU of vitamin D weekly (n = 40) or a placebo (n = 40) for 8 weeks. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the 11-item Chalder Fatigue Scale (CFQ-11); 21-item Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21); Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI); Addenbrooke’s Cognitive Examination III (ACE); and Trail Making Test A and B (TMT-A and TMT-B). Baseline and 8-week measurements of inflammatory markers, including interleukin 6 (IL-6) and C-reactive protein (CRP), were also collected. Significant improvements were found in the vitamin D group for CFQ (coefficient -3. 5, P = 0. 024), DASS-anxiety (-2. 0, P = 0. 011), and ACE (2. 1, P = 0. 012). No significant differences were observed in PSQI, DASS-depression, TMT, IL-6, or CRP levels. The incidence of adverse events was comparable between groups, with no serious adverse events reported. High-dose vitamin D supplementation may benefit patients with post-COVID syndrome by reducing fatigue, alleviating anxiety, and improving cognitive symptoms, with minimal side effects.

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