To determine the prevalence and associated factors of vitamin D deficiency in COVID-19 survivors and the relationship between vitamin D status and physical performance.
Vitamin D status was assessed in a sample of patients who had recovered from COVID-19 and were admitted to a post-acute outpatient service at Fondazione Policlinico Universitario Agostino Gemelli IRCCS (Rome, Italy). Participants were offered comprehensive medical assessment, including physical performance and muscle strength tests. Self-rated health was assessed. Vitamin D deficiency was defined as a serum concentration of 25-OH vitamin D <20ng/mL.
Mean age of 681 participants was 53.4 ± 15.2 years and 49% were women. Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 35.6% of the whole study population, and in 40.2% of those 65 and older. Vitamin D deficiency was associated with diabetes, higher body mass index, and COVID-19 severity, and showed a seasonal pattern with a peak in autumn/winter. Participants with vitamin D deficiency performed poorer on the six-minute walking test, with the lowest performance observed in those 65 and older. No significant associations with any other parameters were found.
Our findings indicate that vitamin D deficiency is frequent in COVID-19 survivors, especially in older adults. Low vitamin D levels are associated with poor physical performance, in particular in old age.

Copyright © 2022. Published by Elsevier B.V.

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