patients enrolled got vaccinated vs COVID-19 and Influenza

Scarce information exists in relation to the effect of supplementation of Vitamin D3 in SARS-COV-2 infection, H1N1, and A, B Influenza when 25-hydroxyvitamin levels are between 20-100ng/ml. This study will evaluate the effect of supplementation of vitamin D3 vs. dietary-hygiene measures in SARS-COV-2 , H1N1, A, B Influenza infection rate in patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels >20ng/ml.

A comparative randomized study that will evaluate the effect of a monthly supplementation with 52000 units of Vitamine D3 during three months vs hygienic-dietary measures in the development of respiratory infections such as COVID-19, H1N1, A, B Influenza during 6 months of follow-up in health workers from a hospital in Northern Mexico with serum vitamin D values +/- 20ng/ml. Also, patients that during screening have 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels <20 ng/ml will receive vitamin D supplementation according to primary care discretion for three months and will be followed for 6 months and infection rate will be analyzed and compared.

COVID-19 is an infectious disease caused by the newly discovered coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, with a clinical spectrum from asymptomatic infection to critical and fatal illnesses. Influenza H1N1, A, and B have also been the most frequent etiologies of respiratory tract infection that are usually affected during the winter season before COVID-19 pandemic.

There is controversy against Vitamin D3 supplementation in the prevention of respiratory tract infections. A previous meta-analysis has demonstrated an association between vitamin D3 levels <20mg/dl and a higher risk of infection. There is less information in relation to the effect of supplementation when vitamin levels are between 20-100ng/ml and the prevention of infection.

The rationale of this study will be to find a relationship between vitamin D3 supplementation and the incidence of SARS-CoV-2 or Influenza H1N1, A, or B infection through a prospective study. Vitamin D3 could have a role in innate and adaptive immunity that could help prevent this disease. The target population will be health workers with a high risk of SARS-COV-2 or influenza infection with vitamin D > 20 ng/ml.

The primary aim is to evaluate the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation vs. dietary-hygiene measures in developing SARS-COV-2 infection, Influenza H1N1, A or B in patients with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 >20 ng/ml.

A secondary aim will be to compare a group of hospital workers with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 < 20 ng/ml that could or not have been supplemented with Vitamin D3.

Hypothesis primary aim: There will be no difference in the development of respiratory infections (COVID-19, H1N1 Influenza, A, B influenza) in health personnel with serum levels of vitamin D equal or greater than 20ng / ml when they receive supplementation vs treatment based on hygienic-dietary measures (diet and sun exposure), in a 6-month follow-up.

The hypothesis of secondary aim: the infection rate of COVID-19, and H1N1, A or B influenza will be higher in the group of vitamin D3 <20ng/ml than the patients with levels between 20-100ng/ml

A comparative quasi-experimental study that will evaluate the effect of 2 treatments in health workers of Hospital Clínica Nova with serum vitamin D values > 20ng / ml. The study will be conducted per The Code of Ethics of the World Medical Association (Declaration of Helsinki) for humans experiments and also will be approved by the local IRB from Universidad de Monterrey.

1. Supplementation with 52,000 units of vitamin D3 monthly
2. Hygienic-dietary measures: sun exposure 10 minutes a day plus recommendation of consumption of foods rich in vitamin D.

Baseline serum levels will be assessed, and monthly follow-up will be given regarding the development of symptoms suggestive of respiratory tract infection. The monitoring of serum levels of vitamin D will be every 3 months.

Efficacy endpoint: During the follow-up period, the most effective treatment will develop a lower respiratory tract infection rate ( COVID-19 and/or H1N1, A or B Influenza ).

Procedures:

1. Serum levels of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) will be measured in all medical personnel working at Hospital Clínica Nova.
2. Patients with Vitamin D3<20ng/ml will be supplemented by primary care physician
3. Treatment group will be randomized to patients with vitamin D3 levels >20ngml.
4. Serum vitamin D levels will be monitored every 3 months
5. Monthly follow-up will be given through the endocrinology consultation on the development of respiratory symptoms

Secondary endpoint: Personnel with vitamin D levels <20ng/ml will be sent to a primary care physician for treatment by the doctor's discretion and will be followed for the same period of time in order to evaluate COVID-19 and H1N1, A or B Influenza infection rate.

The relative risks that could be presented in the different groups are an increase of Vitamin D serum levels > 100ng /ml in the G1 and a reduction of vitamin D serum levels < 20ng/ml in G2. To reduce the risk, serum vitamin D3 levels will be monitored every three months.

Statistical analysis Two researchers will review the quality control of the database and anonymized it. Normality assumption will be evaluated with the Shapiro Wilk test and frequency histograms. Descriptive statistics such as mean, the standard deviation for quantitative variables, frequencies, and percentages for categorical variables, will be computed. Chi-square tests and ANOVA will be used to compare the categorical and quantitative data between groups. Kaplan-Mayer, Log-rank, and Cox regression were used for the analysis of SARS-COV-2 development.

Missing data were handled by complete case analysis. For simple randomization, we will use a random number generation with binomial distribution with a probability of 50%.

The sample size will be of a finite population as it will include all health personnel who work at Hospital Clínica Nova.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age 18-90 years
• Both genders
• Absence of infection by COVID-19, influenza H1N1, influenza A or B at the time of measurement of serum vitamin D levels.
• Absence of infection at any site of bacterial, fungal or other origins
• Health worker at Hospital Clínica Nova.

Patient Exclusion Criteria for both arms:

• Serum Vitamin D levels> 100ng / ml
• Previous consumption of supplements containing Vitamin D3
• Pregnancy

during one year after the publication of the results

contacting corresponding author