Supplement Usage Pattern in a Group of COVID- 19 Patients in Tehran

Abstract

Objective: The coronavirus disease 19 (COVID-19) is a highly transmittable and pathogenic viral infection, causes severe acute respiratory syndrome and was spread throughout the world in early 2020. The effects of vitamin and micronutrient supplements on the prevention and treatment of COVID- 19 seems challenging in scientific considerations. On the other side generally, experts warn against over-consumption of these supplements.
 Materials and methods: This study aimed to investigate the vitamin and micronutrient supplementation usage pattern in past history of patients with COVID-19 via a cross-sectional inquiry. Totally 510 patients referring to the infectious disease clinic of Imam Khomeini Hospital in Tehran from March 2020 to May 2020 were recruited. The inclusion criterion was suspected patients for COVID-19 based on clinical findings and CT scans of the lung. The infected patients included both inpatients (171) and outpatients (339). Demographic information, clinical signs, and the supplement pattern use were collected through a questionnaire and the data were statistically analyzed.
 Results: Vitamin D3 intake was reported in 30% (103 patients) of outpatients and 16.5% (28 patients) of hospitalized patients, which is statistically significant (P=0.001). It shows that, the frequency of vitamin D3 consumption in the outpatient group was higher than inpatient group. This significant difference has also been shown in zinc consumption, in 29 patients (9%) outpatients versus 4 patients (2%) inpatients were reported (P=0.007). Multi nominal regression showed that vitamin D3 intake has a supportive effect and reduces the risk of exacerbation and worsening of the disease. (OR=0.291; 95% CI 0.102-.0834, P=0.022).
 Conclusion: According to the results of the present study and the findings of other studies, considering the supportive effect of vitamin D3 in reducing the severity of infectious diseases; Clinical trials with an appropriate sample size are recommended to investigate the functional role of this vitamin in improving viral diseases of the respiratory tract.

Nutritional Behaviors, Vitamin Supplementation and Physical Activity among Polish Adults during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…Interestingly, Puścion-Jakubik et al demonstrated that a significantly greater percentage of Polish respondents declared not taking food supplements with zinc and vitamin D during the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic [26]. In many countries, an evaluated interest in diet supplementation during the COVID-19 pandemic was found [27][28][29]. Our results demonstrate higher intake of vitamin D by women than by men.…”

Association of Vitamin D Status with SARS-CoV-2 Infection or COVID-19 Severity: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

“…The other study had a quasi-experimental design and indicated that vitamin D3 supplementation was inversely associated with Ordinal Scale for Clinical Improvement (OSCI) score for COVID-19 (β = −3.84; 95% CI: −6.07, −1.62; P = 0.001) ( 56 ). The third study, which assessed vitamin D supplementation in patients with a past history of COVID-19, found that it reduces the risk of exacerbation and worsening of the disease (OR: 0.29; 95% CI: 0.10, 0.083; P = 0.02) ( 57 ). The last study did not provide sufficient data, and only reported that VDD was significantly associated with severity; however, no data were available to indicate this ( 58 ).…”

“…A significant association between VDD and risk of hospitalization was observed in Radujkovic et al ( 13 ) (31% hospitalization in VDD vs. 69% in non-VDD, P = 0.004) and a marginally significant relation in Merzon et al ( 40 ) (adjusted OR: 1.95; 95% CI: 0.98, 4.845; P = 0.06). The third study was a cross-sectional study that compared history of vitamin D3 supplement intake between inpatients and outpatients ( 57 ), where vitamin D3 intake was reported in 30% of outpatients versus 16.5% of hospitalized patients ( P = 0.001).…”

“…All 3 studies that examined the association between VDD and hospitalization indicated a significant relation ( 13 , 40 , 57 ). One study adjusted for confounders and had a good quality design ( 13 ); another study adjusted for confounders and had a large sample size but the authors used vitamin D data that were measured in the past ( 40 ), while the third study did not adjust for confounders and had a poor design ( 57 ). With regard to the relation between 25(OH)D concentration and hospital length of stay, 1 study found a significant relation ( 44 ), while the other failed to find any relation ( 46 ).…”

Consumption of Food Supplements during the Three COVID-19 Waves in Poland—Focus on Zinc and Vitamin D

“…Moreover, a relevant difference was found considering zinc intake-9% vs. 2% in outpatients and inpatients, respectively. However, none of the patients declared the usage of multivitamins, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, iron, omega-3, and omega-6 fatty acids [21]. In this research, none of the participants had COVID-19 in the first wave, 11.8% in the second, and 17.6% in the third waves; 14%, 28.3%, and 33.7% of respondents could not equivocally say whether they had SARS-CoV-2 infection.…”