Researchers Examine Link Between Genetics, Vitamin D and the Severity of COVID-19

A new study involving researchers from CINTESIS – Centre for Health Technologies and Services Research links genetic predisposition to vitamin D deficiency to the occurrence of more severe cases of COVID-19.

According to this work, published in medRxiv, the prevalence of certain genetic polymorphisms linked to vitamin D metabolism is higher in the Portuguese population when compared to the European population. These genetic characteristics, therefore, confer us a greater vulnerability for vitamin D deficiency and, therefore, for more severe COVID-19.

Conceição Calhau, a researcher from CINTESIS and professor at the NOVA Medical School, who participated in this study, explained to Agência LUSA that “many other international studies have reinforced that when you have vitamin D deficiency, [the immune system’s] ability to respond is different and the risk of severity is greater”.

Thus, lower vitamin D levels may even function as risk biomarkers of the severity of infection caused by SARS-CoV-2.

These findings may lead to a greater focus on genetic profiling, vitamin D monitoring, and the adoption of personalized strategies in specific populations, particularly within current or emerging viral diseases.

The VITACOV project, funded by the Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology, was coordinated by the Cardiovascular Center of the University of Lisbon, involving researchers from CINTESIS, the NOVA Medical School, Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP), University Hospital Center of North Lisbon – Hospital of Santa Maria, University Hospital Center of São João, INESC-ID, HeartGenetics and Gulbenkian Institute of Science.