The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Disease Activity Markers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)

Summary

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multi-system inflammatory autoimmune disease. Vitamin D has potent immunomodulatory properties that have promoted its potential use in the treatment of autoimmune conditions, including SLE. We assessed vitamin D status in SLE patients and determined alterations in inflammatory, hemostatic markers as well as disease activity before and after vitamin D supplementation. 248 SLE patients were enrolled in this randomized placebo-controlled study. Patients were randomized 2:1 to receive either oral cholecalciferol 2000 IU/day or placebo for 12 months. Outcome measures included assessment of alterations in levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-18, TNF-alpha, Anti-dsDNA, ANA, fibrinogen and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) before and after 12 months supplementation. Disease activity was measured by the SLEDAI. Vitamin D levels were measured by Liaison immunoassay; (normal 30-100ng/ml). Serum levels between 10-30 ng/ml were classified as vitamin D insufficiency, and levels \< 10 ng/ml as vitamin D deficiency.The mean 25(OH) D level at baseline was 19.8 ng/ml in patients compared to 28.7 ng/ml in controls.

Timeline

Start

2010-04

Primary completion

2010-09

Completion

2011-05

Publications

• Abou-Raya A, Abou-Raya S, Helmii M. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on inflammatory and hemostatic markers and disease activity in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus: a randomized placebo-controlled trial. J Rheumatol. 2013 Mar;40(3):265-72. doi: 10.3899/jrheum.111594. Epub 2012 Dec 1.

Drugs

Indications