An open-label, randomized, 10 weeks prospective study on the efficacy of vitamin D (daily low dose and weekly high dose) in vitamin D deficient patients

• Main Authors: Vikram Singh, Arup K Misra, Mridu Singh, Naresh K Midha, Bharat Kumar, Sneha Ambwani, Gopal K Bohra, Pramod K Sharma
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2019-01-01
• Series: Journal of Family Medicine and Primary Care
• Subjects: Dosage forms; hypovitaminosis; muscle pain; regimens; visual analog scale; Vitamin D
• Online Access: http://www.jfmpc.com/article.asp?issn=2249-4863;year=2019;volume=8;issue=6;spage=1958;epage=1963;aulast=Singh

Background: Vitamin D is an important vitamin required to maintain normal skeletal as well as nonskeletal functions. The daily supplementation of vitamin D not only have poor adherence to the regimen but also of doubtful efficacy in deficient patients. Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the effect of oral high-dose vitamin D regimens (60,000 IU weekly) and daily low-dose vitamin D regimen of 1000 IU in mitigating symptoms and increase in serum levels of vitamin D in patients with hypovitaminosis D. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 patients aged 18–60 years with vitamin D deficiency (serum levels < 30 ng/mL) were enrolled. A total of 38 subjects received 60,000 IU of vitamin D weekly with 500 mg/day calcium and 40 subjects received a dose of 1000 IU of vitamin D daily with 500 mg/day calcium for 10 weeks. Baseline and follow-up total serum vitamin D levels and improvement in symptoms were measured within and between groups. Results: For high-dose vitamin D (60,000 IU weekly), the increase in mean serum vitamin D levels from baseline was 28.33 ng/mL over 10 weeks' treatment period; whereas for the low-dose group (1000 IU daily) the mean increment in serum vitamin D was 6.79 ng/mL for the same period. The mean difference in increase in serum vitamin D between two groups was highly significant (P < 0.001). In both the groups, decrease in myalgia as evaluated on visual analog scale was observed after 10 weeks. Conclusions: High-dose vitamin D (60,000 IU weekly) regimen rapidly normalized 25(OH) D levels and ensure symptomatic relief earlier than daily dosing of 1000 IU vitamin D for same duration.