Abstract

HENRIQUES, Inês; CEBOLA, Marisa  and  MENDES, Lino. Malnutrition, Sarcopenia and COVID-19 in the Elderly: Scientific evidence for vitamin D supplementation. Acta Port Nutr [online]. 2020, n.21, pp.26-30. ISSN 2183-5985.  https://doi.org/10.21011/apn.2020.2106.

Introduction: In the COVID-19 pandemic, older people are considered a population at increased risk. This situation is worsened in the presence of malnutrition and sarcopenia. Vitamin D can be a potential adjunct in the prevention and treatment of patients with respiratory viral infections who normally have low levels of vitamin D. Supplementation of vitamin D in patients with COVID-19, may be an important step in preventing and spreading the infection. Objectives: Analyze the evidence on vitamin D supplementation in elderly with malnutrition, sarcopenia and COVID-19. Methodology: Analyze the literature published in the electronic database Pubmed in the last 5 years, using the keywords "covid-19", "elderly", "malnutrition", "sarcopenia" and "vitamin D". The survey was conducted between April and May 2020. Results: Vitamin D supplementation, in case of deficiency, demonstrated a beneficial effect in improving muscle function and in reducing the severity and mortality from respiratory infections. When associated with protein and physical exercise, it showed a possible synergistic effect on muscle quantity and quality. In patients with COVID-19, in which lower concentrations of 25 (OH) D have been reported, there has been an increase in mortality and disease incidence. Conclusions: The existing evidence is not conclusive and is not sufficient to establish a direct relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the risk of incurring COVID-19 in the future. Clinical trials in the human population are needed to study this hypothesis and even to understand the influence of malnutrition and sarcopenia.

Keywords : Covid-19; Elderly; Malnutrition; Sarcopenia; Vitamin D.

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