Vitamin D supplementation differentially affects seasonal multiple sclerosis disease activity
Brain and behavior, 2017•Wiley Online Library
Abstract Objectives Low ultraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation causes hypovitaminosis D, which is a
known risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) and associated with MS disease activity. Our
objective is to test whether vitamin D supplementation is most effective in lowering disease
activity during the period of the year with low UVB radiation and consequently low serum 25‐
hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 (OH) D3) concentration. Methods Retrospective analysis of medical
records from our outpatient department identified 40 MS patients with available data of at …
known risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) and associated with MS disease activity. Our
objective is to test whether vitamin D supplementation is most effective in lowering disease
activity during the period of the year with low UVB radiation and consequently low serum 25‐
hydroxyvitamin D3 (25 (OH) D3) concentration. Methods Retrospective analysis of medical
records from our outpatient department identified 40 MS patients with available data of at …
Objectives
Low ultraviolet‐B (UVB) radiation causes hypovitaminosis D, which is a known risk factor for multiple sclerosis (MS) and associated with MS disease activity. Our objective is to test whether vitamin D supplementation is most effective in lowering disease activity during the period of the year with low UVB radiation and consequently low serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D3 (25(OH)D3) concentration.
Methods
Retrospective analysis of medical records from our outpatient department identified 40 MS patients with available data of at least 6 months before and during oral vitamin D supplementation. Serum 25(OH)D3 concentration was analyzed using immunoassay. UVB radiation data were provided by the local government. Annualized and quarterly relapse rates before and during vitamin D supplementation served as outcome parameters.
Results
During vitamin D supplementation (18,950 international units/week (mean, SD 3,397)), serum 25(OH)D3 concentration increased by 51 nmol/L and the UVB‐related seasonal variability in 25(OH)D3 levels ceased (rho = −0.13, p > .05). Furthermore, the annualized relapse rate decreased by approximately 50%. This was almost solely driven by the prominent reduction in the quarterly relapse rate in late winter/early spring, when 25(OH)D3 levels of nonsupplemented patients were the lowest.
Conclusions
Our study demonstrated the modulation of seasonal MS disease activity through vitamin D supplementation. Given the prominent reduction in the quarterly relapse rate in late winter/early spring, our data indicate a beneficial effect of supplementing MS patients with vitamin D, especially during this period of the year.
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