Osteoporosis International
Volume 22, Issue 3, 2011, Pages 873-882

Sunlight exposure or vitamin D supplementation for vitamin D-deficient non-western immigrants: A randomized clinical trial (Article) (Open Access)

Wicherts I.S. , Boeke A.J.P. , Van Der Meer I.M. , Van Schoor N.M. , Knol D.L. , Lips P.*
  • a EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, School of Health Care, Windesheim, Zwolle, Netherlands
  • b EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Department of General Practice, EMG0 Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • c Municipal Health Service of the Hague, Hague, Netherlands
  • d EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • e Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands
  • f EMGO Institute for Health and Care Research, VU University Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands, Endocrine Section, Department of Internal Medicine, VU University Medical Center, P.O. Box 7057, Amsterdam 1007 MB, Netherlands

Abstract

Summary: Vitamin D deficiency is very common in non-western immigrants. In this randomized clinical trial, vitamin D 800 IU/day or 100,000 IU/3 months were compared with advised sunlight exposure. Vitamin D supplementation was more effective than advised sunlight exposure in improving vitamin D status and lowering parathyroid hormone levels. Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency (25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]<25 nmol/l) is common among non-western immigrants. It can be treated with vitamin D supplementation or sunlight exposure. Methods: To determine whether the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation (daily 800 IU or 100,000 IU/3 months) or sunlight exposure advice is similar with regard to serum 25(OH)D and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations. Randomized clinical trial in 11 general practices in The Netherlands. Non-western immigrants, aged 18-65 years (n=232) and serum 25(OH)D<25 nmol/l were randomly assigned to supplementation (daily 800 IU or 100,000 IU/3 months) or advice for sunlight exposure for 6 months (March-September). Blood samples were collected at baseline, during treatment (3 months, 6 months), and at follow-up (12 months). Statistical analysis was performed with multilevel regression modelling. Results: The intention-to-treat analysis included 211 persons. Baseline serum 25(OH)D was 22.5±11.1 nmol/l. After 6 months, mean serum 25(OH)D increased to 53 nmol/l with 800 IU/day, to 50.5 nmol/l with 100,000 IU/3 months, and to 29.1 nmol/l with advised sunlight exposure (supplementation vs sunshine p<0.001). Serum PTH decreased significantly in all groups after 3 months, more in the supplementation groups than in the advised sunlight group (p<0.05). There was no significant effect on physical performance and functional limitations. Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation is more effective than advised sunlight exposure for treating vitamin D deficiency in non-western immigrants. © 2010 The Author(s).

Author Keywords

Secondary hyperparathyroidism RCT vitamin D Sunlight exposure Vitamin D supplementation Non-western immigrants Vitamin D deficiency

Index Keywords

blood sampling Netherlands parathyroid hormone blood level immigrant clinical trial calcifediol human middle aged Asia Vitamin D Dietary Supplements priority journal randomized controlled trial Aged Vitamins Young Adult Humans parathyroid hormone Adolescent male Emigrants and Immigrants female South America sun exposure Africa vitamin D deficiency Article functional status major clinical study adult vitamin supplementation pain measurement biochemistry sunlight pain assessment physical performance Motor Skills
Link
https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-79951681959&doi=10.1007%2fs00198-010-1343-x&partnerID=40&md5=8f3c4572dc0641d0a1ad32005e4c386a
DOI: 10.1007/s00198-010-1343-x
ISSN: 0937941X
Cited by: 46
Original Language: English