RESEARCH PAPER
Analysis of season-specific changes in vitamin D levels in patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic
1
Regionalne Centrum Naukowo-Technologiczne, Polska
Corresponding author
Med Srod. 2024;27(1):7-11
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction and objective:
The aim of this study was to determine the changes in vitamin D levels in patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account the effect of season. Vitamin D is one of the most important lipid-soluble vitamins. The maintenance of concentrations at an appropriate level helps reduce the risk of rickets and other diseases, such as autoimmune diseases.
Material and methods:
Vitamin D concentrations in the blood serum of patients were analyzed by ELISA. In the pre-pandemic period 893 women and 1,395 men were tested. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the study included 1,580 women and 662 men. Research was performed at different times of the year to account for seasonal changes in exposure to the sun.
Results:
Significant changes in vitamin D concentrations were found in the patients studied during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. In addition, differences in concentrations were observed depending on the season, with the highest values recorded in summer and the lowest in winter. Moreover, women were shown to have higher vitamin D levels than men independently of the season or the effect of an additional factor like the pandemic.
Conclusions:
Significant changes in vitamin D concentrations were found in the patients studied during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. In addition, differences in concentrations were observed depending on the season, with the highest values recorded in summer and the lowest in winter. Moreover, women were shown to have higher vitamin D levels than men independently of the season or the effect of an additional factor like the pandemic.
The aim of this study was to determine the changes in vitamin D levels in patients before and during the COVID-19 pandemic, taking into account the effect of season. Vitamin D is one of the most important lipid-soluble vitamins. The maintenance of concentrations at an appropriate level helps reduce the risk of rickets and other diseases, such as autoimmune diseases.
Material and methods:
Vitamin D concentrations in the blood serum of patients were analyzed by ELISA. In the pre-pandemic period 893 women and 1,395 men were tested. During the COVID-19 pandemic period, the study included 1,580 women and 662 men. Research was performed at different times of the year to account for seasonal changes in exposure to the sun.
Results:
Significant changes in vitamin D concentrations were found in the patients studied during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. In addition, differences in concentrations were observed depending on the season, with the highest values recorded in summer and the lowest in winter. Moreover, women were shown to have higher vitamin D levels than men independently of the season or the effect of an additional factor like the pandemic.
Conclusions:
Significant changes in vitamin D concentrations were found in the patients studied during the pandemic compared to the pre-pandemic period. In addition, differences in concentrations were observed depending on the season, with the highest values recorded in summer and the lowest in winter. Moreover, women were shown to have higher vitamin D levels than men independently of the season or the effect of an additional factor like the pandemic.
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| eISSN: | 2084-6312 |
| ISSN: | 1505-7054 |
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