Publication date: Jan 30, 2025

Despite a large number of published studies, the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on mortality in hospitalized patients, as well as the recommended dose and duration of therapy, is unclear. In our retrospective study, we aimed to investigate the impact of vitamin D deficiency and moderately high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation on mortality and disease outcomes in patients with COVID-19 infection. We analyzed data from 148 COVID-19-infected hospitalized patients in two different departments, Internal Medicine and Oncology, at Semmelweis University. The severity of COVID-19 and the treatment used were the same except at one of the departments, where patients received circa 90,000 IU of vitamin D3. We compared in-hospital mortality rates between the groups. In a subgroup analysis, we evaluated the efficacy and safety of vitamin D3 supplementation by assessing 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)D concentrations on days 0, 4, and 8. As a result of the supplementation, the deficiency was resolved in 4 days in deficient patients, and none of the 25(OH)D or 1,25(OH)D concentrations exceeded the normal range. Mortality was significantly lower and decreased 67% in the group receiving vitamin D3 supplementation, regardless of baseline 25(OH)D concentrations. The supplemental dosage, 3 cD7 30,000 IU of vitamin D3, is effective and safe and may reduce mortality in COVID-19 infection.

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