A Randomized Trial to Determine the Effect of Vitamin D and Zinc Supplementation for Improving Treatment Outcomes Among COVID-19 Patients in India

This study is a 2x2 factorial randomized double-blind, placebo-controlled trial to examine the effectiveness of vitamin D and zinc supplements as immune-based therapy among COVID-19 patients in India. The study is also examining the immunological response to COVID-19 and the effect of the intervention on specific biomarkers of immune and endothelial activation that are independent and quantitative predictors of severity and mortality in other severe infections. The primary aims are to determine the effect of vitamin D supplementation versus placebo on time to recovery among patients hospitalized with COVID-19; and to determine the effect of zinc supplementation versus placebo on time to recovery among patients hospitalized with COVID-19. As secondary aims, this study is also investigating the effect of vitamin D or zinc supplementation on all-cause mortality. necessity for assisted ventilation, individual symptoms duration, duration of hospital stay and biomarkers including vitamin D, Zinc, Interleukin 6 (IL-6), Angiopoietin-2, sTREM-1, immunoglobulin G (IgG) and immunoglobulin M (IgM).

Eligible individuals are randomly assigned to one of four groups: (1) Vitamin D (180,000 IU bolus at enrollment, followed by 2000 IU daily); (2) Zinc (placebo at enrollment followed by one daily dose of 40 mg); (3) Vitamin D and Zinc; or (4) Placebo. Daily supplements start at the hospital and continue after discharge for a total of 8 weeks. Active data collection occurs daily while patients are hospitalized and at least twice per week via telephone after discharge. A clinical exam occurs at 8 weeks and longer-term symptoms are assessed at 3 months.