A research team led by LMU epidemiologist Professor Eva Grill has demonstrated a significant decline in vitamin D levels during the Covid-19 pandemic, especially in older women and urban dwellers. The study analyzed anonymized routine data from 292,187 patients in Bavaria, revealing a drop in mean serum levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D and an increase in deficiency rates. The researchers suggest that lockdowns, home office working, and changed leisure habits reduced sunlight exposure, leading to lower vitamin D levels. The study also highlights the impact on elderly women, young adults, and urban dwellers, emphasizing the importance of vitamin D for bone health and immune function. Routine medical data can serve as an early warning system for public health trends.
The CO 19 pandemic has had farreaching effects on human health and a recent study reveals a concerning decline in vitamin D levels among the population. Led by Professor Eva Grill, a team of researchers from LMU has uncovered a significant drop in vitamin D levels during the pandemic, particularly affecting older women and urban dwellers. The study published in Nature Communications analyzed anonymized data from 292,187 patients across Bavaria, shedding light on the impact of the pandemic on vitamin D levels. The findings are striking. The average serum level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D decreased from 26.7g/L to 26.0G/L during the pandemic period. Moreover, the percentage of individuals with vitamin D deficiency below 20 G/L rose from 31.2% to 35.2%. These changes were statistically significant and persisted even after accounting for age, gender, and season. The researchers proposed that lockdowns, remote work, and altered leisure habits may have contributed to reduced sun exposure leading to lower vitamin D levels. The impact was most pronounced in elderly women over 60 and young adults aged 18 to 39 with urban dwellers also being disproportionately affected. Vitamin D is crucial for bone health and has imunom modulatory properties and its deficiency can increase the risk of infections, autoimmune disorders and fractures. The study also highlights an urban rural divide with higher deficiency rates in urban areas due to factors like building density and limited green spaces. Professor Grill suggests that social and psychological factors such as additional burdens and stress may have played a role in the decline of vitamin D levels among women. The study emphasizes the value of routine data in public health research, offering an early warning system for trends in nutrient levels and risk factors. By integrating laboratory, inversing and healthcare data, the study paves the way for datadriven prevention policies, marking an important step towards proactive health management.
