Effect of Vitamin D and calcium supplementation on ischaemic stroke outcome: a randomised controlled open-label trial.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to assess the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation on disability and mortality outcomes in ischemic stroke survivors with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency.
Results Summary
The study found that patients receiving calcium and vitamin D supplementation had a higher survival probability (83.8% vs. 59.5%) and a trend toward better functional outcomes, though the latter was not statistically significant. The adjusted hazard ratio for mortality was significantly lower in the intervention group (HR 0.26, P=0.03).
Population
Acute ischemic stroke survivors with baseline 25(OH)D levels <75 nmol/L (mean age 60.4 years, 69.8% male).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
6 months.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
calcium and vitamin D supplementation | increase | good outcome [modified Rankin Scale score 0-2] at 6 months | ischaemic stroke survivors with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency | Adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.6-6.4; P=.31 | higher proportion of patients achieving | #1 |
calcium and vitamin D supplementation | decrease | all cause mortality at 6 months | ischaemic stroke survivors with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency | 83.8% (CI 62.4-93.6) vs 59.5% (CI 38.8-75.2); P=.049; adjusted HR 0.26 (95% CI 0.08-0.9; P=.03) | greater survival probability | #2 |
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Vitamin D deficiency is a common problem in stroke survivors. Observational studies have reported an association of low vitamin D levels with greater stroke severity, poststroke mortality and functional disability. Randomised clinical trials are lacking. We sought to assess the effect of calcium and vitamin D supplementation in ischaemic stroke survivors with vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency on disability/mortality outcomes. METHODS: In this randomised controlled open-label trial, 73 patients of acute ischaemic stroke were screened for serum 25 hydroxy Vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels. A total of 53 patients with baseline 25(OH)D <75 nmol/L were randomised into two arms. One received vitamin D and calcium supplementation along with usual care (n=25) and the other received usual care alone (n=28). Primary outcome was the proportion of patients achieving a good outcome [modified Rankin Scale score 0-2] at 6 months and all cause mortality at 6 months. RESULTS: The age (mean±SD) of participants was 60.4±11.3 years, 69.8% were males. The proportion of patients achieving good outcome was higher in the intervention arm (Adjusted OR 1.9, 95% CI 0.6-6.4; P=.31). The survival probability was greater in the intervention arm (83.8%, CI 62.4-93.6) as compared with the control arm (59.5%, CI 38.8-75.2; P=.049) with adjusted Hazard ratio (HR) of 0.26 (95% CI 0.08-0.9; P=.03). CONCLUSIONS: This is the first randomised controlled study assessing the effect of vitamin D and calcium supplementation on ischaemic stroke outcomes and points towards a potential benefit. Findings need to be validated by a larger trial.