Mortality from Covid-19 increases with age, reaching 14.8% from the age of 80. The severity of the infection is linked to the acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) which requires intensive care. ARDS is the consequence of the reactional inflammatory storm that damages the lungs. Aged subjects are particularly prone to zinc and vitamin D deficiency. These two micronutrients are able to modulate the immune response by reducing the inflammatory storm. The hypothesis is that supplementation with zinc and vitamin D would reduce the inflammatory reaction which worsens ARDS and leads to the death of subjects infected with Covid-19.
Dietary Supplement: Zinc gluconate
Zinc gluconate capsule 15 mg x 2 per day during 2 months
Dietary Supplement: 25-OH cholecalciferol
25-OH cholecalciferol drinkable solution 10 drops (2000 IU) per day during 2 months
Inclusion Criteria:
- Institutionalized
Exclusion Criteria:
- Life expectancy < 1 month independently of Covid-19 infection (overall subjects)
- Known hypercalcemia
- History of renal lithiasis
David SEGUY, MD,PhD, Principal Investigator
University Hospital, Lille