Vitamin D status during the COVID-19 pandemic: the experience of Russia and Belarus

During the COVID-19 pandemic, a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency remains. Thus, the studies carried out on the territory of the Russian Federation (RF) and the Republic of Belarus over the last 3 years have shown the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in the population, regardless of the gender of examined persons, the geographic location and the season of the year. Taking into account the known immunomodulatory functions of serum 25(OH)D, the aim of this review was to assess the data that were accumulated in the world, Russia and Belarus and were concerned with a possible contribution of vitamin D deficiency to COVID-19 infection, course and prognosis, as well as with the role of cholecalciferol therapy in prevention and treatment of the disease. Most of the studies demonstrate a negative association between the serum 25(OH)D level and COVID-19 severity and/or mortality. Previously, it has been shown that the serum 25(OH)D level less than 11.4 ng/ml is associated with an increased risk of COVID-19 mortality. At the same time, the results of the studies using cholecalciferol therapy for COVID-19 prevention and treatment are conflicting. Intervention  studies in the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus are scanty; however, the available data indicate a possible  benefit of therapy, which allows it to be considered as an addition to the main methods of treating COVID-19.

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