Can vitamin D supplementation prevent bone loss in persons with MS? A placebo-controlled trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether weekly high-dose vitamin D3 (20,000 IU) combined with daily calcium (500 mg) could prevent bone loss in ambulatory persons with multiple sclerosis (MS).
Results Summary
The study found no significant difference in bone mineral density (BMD) changes between the vitamin D3/calcium group and the placebo group after 96 weeks. BMD decreased slightly in both groups, with no statistically meaningful benefit from the intervention.
Population
Ambulatory persons with MS aged 18-50 years.
Effective Dosage
500 mg calcium daily.
Duration
96 weeks.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
20,000 IU vitamin D(3) once a week and 500 mg calcium daily | no change | bone loss | ambulatory persons with MS age 18-50 years | no significant change | did not prevent | #1 |
20,000 IU vitamin D(3) once a week | increase | serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels | intervention group | from 55 nmol/L at baseline to 123 nmol/L at week 96 | increased | #2 |
20,000 IU vitamin D(3) once a week and 500 mg calcium daily | no change | percentage change in bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip, the spine, and the ultradistral radius | participants | - | did not differ | #3 |
placebo once a week and 500 mg calcium daily | decrease | BMD at the hip | placebo group | by 1.4% | decreased | #4 |
20,000 IU vitamin D(3) once a week and 500 mg calcium daily | decrease | BMD at the hip | treatment group | by 0.7% | decreased | #5 |
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a possible cause of secondary osteoporosis. In this phase II trial we assessed whether a weekly dose of 20,000 IU vitamin D(3) prevents bone loss in ambulatory persons with MS age 18-50 years. ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT00785473. All patients managed at the University Hospital of North Norway who fulfilled the main inclusion criteria were invited to participate in this double-blinded trial. Participants were randomised to receive 20,000 IU vitamin D(3) or placebo once a week and 500 mg calcium daily for 96 weeks. The primary outcome was the effect of the intervention on percentage change in bone mineral density (BMD) at the hip, the spine, and the ultradistal radius over the study period. Of 71 participants randomised, 68 completed. Mean serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels in the intervention group increased from 55 nmol/L at baseline to 123 nmol/L at week 96. After 96 weeks, percentage change in BMD did not differ between groups at any site. BMD decreased at the hip, by 1.4% in the placebo group (95% CI -2.3 to -0.4, SD 2.7, p = 0.006) and by 0.7% in the treatment group (-1.6 to 0.2, 2.7, p = 0.118), difference 0.7% (-1.9 to 0.7, p = 0.332). Findings were not altered by adjustment for sex or serum 25(OH)D. Supplementation with 20,000 IU vitamin D(3) a week did not prevent bone loss in this small population. Larger studies are warranted to assess the effect of vitamin D on bone health in persons with MS.