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– Researchers from IMIBIC and Hospital Reina Sofía de Córdoba demonstrate that the administration of Calcifediol in patients hospitalized for COVID-19 reduces their need for admission to the ICU
Minapim by Hernan Valenzuela: In a statement from the Maimónides Institute for Biomedical Research in Córdoba (Imibic) and the Reina Sofia University Hospital confirmed that the administration of Calcifediol, which is a hydroxylated vitamin D metabolite, to hospitalized Covid 19 patients significantly reduces the need for hospitalization in intensive care units ICU.
According to the institution, “The endocrine system of vitamin D has several actions on the cells and tissues involved in the progression of Covid 19, especially to reduce the Acute Respiratory Difficulty Syndrome”.
The researchers evaluated the effect of calcifediol treatment on the ICU admission rate and the mortality rate of patients hospitalized for Covid-19.
The 76 patients hospitalized for Covid-19 infection, undergoing treatment with hydroxychloroquine, according to the standard protocol, who participated in this pilot, randomized and open clinical trial, presented with a clinical picture of acute respiratory infection, confirmed by radiographic pattern of viral pneumonia and by positive PCR for SARS-CoV-2.
Only one (01) of the 50 patients treated with calcifediol required ICU care
A subgroup of patients received the best therapy available according to the hospital’s protocol, and another subgroup had Calcifediol added to the treatment. Efficacy results included the rate of admission to the ICU and deaths.
Of the 50 patients treated with Calcifediol, only one required ICU admission, none died and all were discharged without complications. Of the 26 patients not treated with Calcifediol, thirteen required ICU admission, of which two died.
This is a form of vitamin D, which apparently can reduce the need for invasive ventilation and ICU admissions, for newly hospitalized adult patients diagnosed with Covid 19.
The research comes as a result of the detection that severe vitamin D deficiency is a very common finding in patients with this disease.
Italian scientists have warned of the importance of vitamin D against the virus
In March of this year, when the virus was beginning to spread, studies were published confirming the hypothesis launched last March by Doctor Giancarlo Isaia Enzo, from the Academy of Medicine and the University of Torino, and later also published in Aging in Clinical Research and Experimental (ACER), recommending taking vitamin D to fight the pandemic.
The study looked at the possible causes of Covid 19 infection and proposed that vitamin D was a tool for reducing risk factors.
In Spain, Dr. José López Miranda, professor of Clinical Medicine at the University of Córdoba and director of the Clinical Management Unit of Clinical Medicine at the University Hospital Reina Sofia, participated in the latest study; and Dr. José Manuel Quesada Gómez, Honorary Professor at UCO, both researchers at Imibic (Córdoba).
According to the statement, “Pilot research shows that Calcifediol appears to be able to reduce the severity of the disease. In the current regrowth, this treatment is an interesting possibility, which, due to its safety, cost and effectiveness, makes it very efficient in combating Covid 19 ″.
The study, requires additional confirmation in a larger number of patients, but already shows that vitamin D is able to reduce the appearance of the main complications of the disease and, therefore, suggests the adequacy of its administration in all patients with COVID 19.
Ref:
- (https://www.unitonews.it/storage/2515/8522/3585/Ipovitaminosi_D_e_Coronavirus_25_marzo_2020.pdf)
- (https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0960076020302764)
- (https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s40520-020-01650-9.pdf).
Sources: Hospital Reina Sofia IMIBIC University of Turin
Related article: Possible preventive and therapeutic role of vitamin D in the management of the COVID-19 pandemic