Analysis of 491 hospitalized patients in Portugal showing that polymorphisms in the vitamin D binding protein encoded by the GC gene are related to COVID-19 severity (
p = 0.005). There was an association between vitamin D polygenic risk score and vitamin D levels (
p = 0.042), and between vitamin D levels and mortality (
p = 1.5e-4). Authors conclude that a genetic susceptibility for vitamin D deficiency may explain higher severity in COVID-19.
Freitas et al., 3/27/2021, retrospective, Portugal, Europe, preprint, 36 authors.
risk of death, 41.2% lower, RR 0.59, p = 0.02, high D levels 23 of 179 (12.8%), low D levels 68 of 311 (21.9%), >20ng/mL.
Effect extraction follows
pre-specified rules
prioritizing more serious outcomes. For an individual study the most serious
outcome may have a smaller number of events and lower statistical signficance,
however this provides the strongest evidence for the most serious outcomes
when combining the results of many trials.
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