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Vitamin D treatment in Somali women living in Sweden – Two randomized, placebo‐controlled studies
Author(s) -
Osmancevic Amra,
Demeke Taye,
Gillstedt Martin,
Angesjö Eva,
Sinclair Håkan,
Abd ElGawad Gamal,
LandinWilhelmsen Kerstin
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
clinical endocrinology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.055
H-Index - 147
eISSN - 1365-2265
pISSN - 0300-0664
DOI - 10.1111/cen.13097
Subject(s) - placebo , vitamin d and neurology , medicine , cholecalciferol , somali , vitamin d deficiency , gastroenterology , vitamin , endocrinology , pathology , linguistics , philosophy , alternative medicine
Summary Objective There is limited information about the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the effects of treatment on immigrants. The effects of oral vitamin D intake and UVB treatment on vitamin D status in healthy Somali women living in Sweden were analysed. Design Two studies were carried out; a randomized, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, with oral drops of 800 IU and 1600 IU cholecalciferol and similar amounts of placebo given daily during 12 weeks and a single‐blind, placebo‐controlled study, using UVB (4·3–8·7 J/cm 2 ) or Woods lamp (placebo) on the upper body, or the face and hands. Patients One‐hundred fourteen Somali women, mean age 34 years, latitude 0–10°N, living in Sweden >2 years, latitude 57°N, participated. Measurements Serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D (S‐25( OH )D) was monitored before, every 6 weeks and at 3 months after treatment. Results The majority of the women ( n = 83, 73%) were vitamin D‐deficient, S‐25( OH )D < 25 nmol/l at start. There was a dose‐dependent increase in S‐25( OH )D levels ( P = 0·001, stratified Jonckheere–Terpstra test) with a mean increase after twelve weeks in women treated with 800 IU /day and women treated with 1600 IU /day of 18 nmol/l (95% CI : 6–29, median = 17) and 29 nmol/l (95% CI : 17–42, median = 34), respectively. S‐25( OH )D decreased during follow‐up but remained above baseline levels. The placebo group remained unchanged throughout the study. UVB treatment increased S‐25( OH )D dose‐dependently after 6 weeks ( P = 0·03, Jonckheere–Terpstra test). Conclusions Vitamin D deficiency was common in immigrants living at higher latitudes. Vitamin D treatment increased S‐25( OH )D levels dose‐dependently during 3 months. The effect was maintained for another 3 months. At least 1600 IU /day is recommended. The dropout rate was high.