Vitamin D supplementation and relapses

High-dose vitamin D supplementation has no impact on relapses. #MSBlog #MSResearch

EpubJames et al. The effect of vitamin D-related interventions on multiple sclerosis relapses: a meta-analysis. Mult Scler. 2013 May 22. 

Background: Observational studies have shown an association between lower vitamin D levels and higher risk of relapse among MSers. This has raised interest in potential clinical benefits of vitamin D supplementation in the management of MS. 

Objectives: The objectives were to examine the effect of vitamin D based interventions on the relative risk of relapse in MS. 

Methods: Any randomised controlled trial assessing the effect on the relative risk of relapse of any formulation or dose of vitamin D, in participants with MS, was eligible. The inverse variance with random effects model in Review Manager 5.1 was used to calculate the odds ratio of relapses in high dose vitamin D treated patients vs. controls. 

Results: Five studies were published as of September 2012, yielding a total of 129 high-dose vitamin D-treated patients and 125 controls. We found no significant association between high-dose vitamin D treatment and risk of MS relapse (OR 0.98, 95% CI 0.45-2.16). 

Conclusion: In conclusion, although no significant association between high-dose vitamin D treatment and risk of MS relapses was found, the studies were limited by several methodological limitations. Further larger, more prolonged studies are merited.



"There is little evidence from published trials that high-dose vitamin D prevents or reduces relapses. The studies are too small to be confident about this result is why we need bigger and properly powered trials to assess the impact of vD on clinical outcomes. I don't use the possible disease-modifying effects of vD to promote high-dose supplementation in MS; I do so on the grounds of promoting bone health. MSers are more likely than controls have thin bones and fractures."

CoI: this paper is from our group

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