Determination of Serum Trace Element and Physical Activity Levels in COVID-19

Overview

The pathogenesis of COVID-19, which is caused by the coronavirus species, which has become a global health problem affecting the lives of billions of people worldwide and is a member of the Betacoronavirus genus, is not fully understood. Although its pathogenesis is thought to be multifactorial, it results in a systemic hyperinflammatory response and associated thromboembolic complications in severe cases. It is thought that some vitamins and nutrients may be beneficial for COVID-19 infected patients due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Vitamins such as A, B, C, D, E and folate; trace elements such as iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper play important roles in supporting both innate and adaptive immune systems, and studies have shown that the trace elements investigated have important roles in COVID-19. For this reason, it is important to investigate the levels of trace elements. In addition, while the disease spreads all over the world, individuals are required to stay at home for a long time against the risk of contamination. Due to these isolation and limitations, physical activity levels decrease in individuals. As reductions in the level of physical activity may cause possible secondary symptoms, another parameter is to determine the physical activity level in order to prevent the potential harmful effects of these protective lifestyle regulations related to COVID-19 and to prevent the restrictions from causing physical inactivity. This study is planning to conduct between January and February 2021 in order to compare the trace element levels in blood samples and physical activity levels of patients with COVID-19 (SARS CoV-2) who applied to Izmir Bakircay University Cigli Training and Research Hospital (Cigli Regional Training Hospital) and hospitalized in the COVID-19 service. It was planned as a prospective, randomized controlled trial. Research data will be obtained from blood samples taken from participants. In addition, data on physical activity levels will be collected through a questionnaire. After analyzing the data obtained from the research with appropriate statistical methods, the data will be evaluated.

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), also known as Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome Coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2), is caused by a coronavirus strain that has become a global health problem by affecting the lives of billions of people worldwide and is a member of the Betacoronavirus genus. Its clinical presentation can be heterogeneous, ranging from asymptomatic to severe disease, which may be associated with a cytokine storm. The pathogenesis of COVID-19 is not fully understood, but it is likely multifactorial, resulting in a systemic hyperinflammatory response and associated thromboembolic complications in severe cases. Due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, certain vitamins and nutrients may be beneficial for patients infected with COVID-19. Vitamins such as A, B, C, D, E and folate; Trace elements such as iron, zinc, magnesium, selenium and copper have important roles in supporting both innate and adaptive immune systems. In order to consider an adult to be physically active, it is generally accepted to reach at least 150 minutes of moderate or 75 minutes of high-intensity activity per week, or an equivalent combination of both. Sedentary behavior is defined as wakeful behavior characterized by an energy expenditure of less than 1.5 metabolic equivalent (MET) in positions such as lying, sitting or standing. While the COVID-19 disease spreads all over the world, healthy people are asked to stay at home for a long time against the risk of transmission. As a result, COVID-19 is radically changing the determinants of both behaviors (individual, interpersonal, environmental, regional or national policies and global). Accordingly, it can be said that due to isolation and limitations in regular and joint activities, it can be said that it poses a significant challenge to fulfill physical activity recommendations and reduce sedentary behavior during the stay at home, especially in the first weeks when the chance of finding alternatives to keep the population active even at home is limited. For this reason, individuals are strongly encouraged to engage in physical activity in the home environment by public health advocates to prevent the potential harmful effects of protective lifestyle regulations related to COVID-19 and to prevent the restrictions from causing physical inactivity. In the light of all this information, in order to contribute to the literature, the aim of this study is to determine the serum trace element levels and physical activity levels of COVID-19 patients immediately before the beginning of COVID-19 treatments and compare with the results of healthy adults.