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01-08-2020 | Vitamin D Deficiency | Viewpoint

The D-side of COVID-19: musculoskeletal benefits of vitamin D and beyond

Authors: Flavia Tramontana, Nicola Napoli, Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan, Rocky Strollo

Published in: Endocrine | Issue 2/2020

Abstract

Coronavirus 2019 disease (COVID-19) mostly adversely affects the elderly, a population at higher risk for low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. In this viewpoint, we highlight the well-known musculoskeletal properties of vitamin D, which are particularly relevant in the context of COVID-19, suggesting further potential benefits through extra-skeletal effects. Maintaining optimal 25(OH)D is crucial to prevent falls, frailty and fractures in elderly patients, with low activity levels due to lockdown, or who are relatively immobilized during hospitalization and after discharge for prolonged periods of time. Hypovitaminosis D is also associated with susceptibility to respiratory infections, admissions to the intensive care unit, and mortality. We underscore the importance of achieving desirable serum 25(OH)D in COVID-19 elderly patients, to ensure beneficial musculoskeletal effects and possibly respiratory effects of vitamin D, in the context of COVID-19.

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Title: The D-side of COVID-19: musculoskeletal benefits of vitamin D and beyond
Authors: Flavia Tramontana
Nicola Napoli
Ghada El-Hajj Fuleihan
Rocky Strollo
Publication date: 01-08-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Vitamin D Deficiency
Acute Respiratory Distress-Syndrome
COVID-19
Published in: Endocrine / Issue 2/2020
Print ISSN: 1355-008X
Electronic ISSN: 1559-0100
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12020-020-02407-0

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