2-year Vitamin D study shows no benefit in MS

[ActiveMSers]

Figures. The one supplement I take. While this study was far from thorough, 20,000 IUs a week (a modest amount) didn't appear to influence the course of MS. - D

Effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on relapses, disease progression and measures of function in persons with multiple sclerosis: exploratory outcomes from a double-blind randomised controlled trial

Margitta T Kampman margitta.kampman@unn.no
Centre for Clinical Research and Education, University Hospital of North Norway/Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø, Tromsø, Norway
Linn H Steffensen
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø/Department of Neurology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Svein I Mellgren
Department of Clinical Medicine, University of Tromsø/Department of Neurology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway
Lone Jørgensen
Dept of Community Med./Dept of Hlth and Care Sci./Dept of Clinical Therapeutic Services, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway

Abstract

Background: High vitamin D levels may reduce the risk of relapses and disease progression in multiple sclerosis.

Methods: This 96-week randomised controlled trial was designed to assess the effect of vitamin D3 supplementation on bone mineral density in persons with multiple sclerosis. Supplementation with 20,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly raised median serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) to 121 nmol/L. The modified intention to treat analysis included 35 persons in the vitamin D3 group and 33 in the placebo group. Participants were age 21 to 50 years and fully ambulatory (median Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) 2.5). We studied the effect of supplementing vitamin D3 on the exploratory outcomes annualised relapse rate (ARR), EDSS, multiple sclerosis functional composite (MSFC) components, grip strength, and fatigue.

Results: After 96 weeks, there was no significant difference between groups in ARR (absolute difference 0.10, 95% CI -0.07 to 0.27; p = 0.25), EDSS (absolute difference -0.01, 95% CI -0.35 to 0.35; p = 0.97), MSFC components, grip strength, or fatigue.

Conclusion: Supplementation with 20,000 IU vitamin D3 weekly did not result in beneficial effects on the measured multiple sclerosis-related outcomes. This study was not powered to address clinical outcomes, but none of the results were suggestive of an effect in this unselected population of fully ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis.

[Niko]

I feel like this is taking a step backwards

Does this mean that it's pointless to take any vitamin D at all, or to take such high doses?

thanks Dave

[CougarMama]

Well, this looks like a study that was run long enough although 1) it has a small sample size and 2) doesn't address the effect of vitamin d supplementation on bone density. I would also argue that there were a couple of things that were not addressed, such as differences in DMD use, exercise, diet, etc. between the groups. I'm not going to let one small study change my routine. There will probably be another study next week that says the opposite!

[Penguin]

It may not affect the progress of the disease, but the link between vit D deficiency and MS isn't clear, there's no certainty it's causal, is that right? I've been prescribed it recently, and the change in my energy levels is enough for me to keep taking it, even if that's "all" it's doing.

[ActiveMSers]

I would keep taking the vitamin as directed by your doc. It's just one small study as CougarMama points out. And 20,000 iu's is not that much weekly (3,000 iu a day). But for anyone thinking just taking Vitamin D is going to keep your MS at bay, I might advise that person to rethink such a plan.