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Narrowband ultraviolet B three times per week is more effective in treating vitamin D deficiency than 1600 IU oral vitamin D 3 per day: a randomized clinical trial
Author(s) -
Bogh M.K.B.,
Gullstrand J.,
Svensson A.,
Ljunggren B.,
Dorkhan M.
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
british journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.304
H-Index - 179
eISSN - 1365-2133
pISSN - 0007-0963
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.11069.x
Subject(s) - medicine , vitamin d and neurology , vitamin , parathyroid hormone , vitamin d deficiency , cholecalciferol , randomized controlled trial , calcitriol , gastroenterology , endocrinology , calcium
Summary Background It is known that narrowband ultraviolet B (NB‐UVB) radiation and oral vitamin D 3 supplementation can both improve serum levels of vitamin D, expressed as 25‐hydroxyvitamin D 3 [25(OH)D 3 ]. However, surprisingly few studies have compared the effects of the two interventions in treating vitamin D deficiency. Objectives To compare the effect of NB‐UVB exposure with oral vitamin D 3 supplementation on vitamin D levels in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Methods Seventy‐three participants with vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D 3 ≤ 25 nmol L −1 ] were consecutively enrolled from February 2010 to May 2011, avoiding the summer period (June to September). The participants were randomized into two groups, one receiving full body NB‐UVB exposure three times per week, the other receiving 1600 IU (40 μg) oral vitamin D 3 per day together with 1000 mg calcium. Thirty‐two participants completed the 6‐week study period, 16 in each group. In both groups blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 3 and 6 weeks. Results We found a significantly greater increase in 25(OH)D 3 levels (mean) in the NB‐UVB treated group (from 19·2 to 75 nmol L −1 ) compared with the oral vitamin D 3 treated group (from 23·3 to 60·6 nmol L −1 ) after 6 weeks of treatment ( P = 0·02), accompanied by a significant decrease in parathyroid hormone for the whole group (from 5·3 to 4·2 pmol L −1 , P = 0·028). Conclusions Full body NB‐UVB three times per week is more effective in treating vitamin D deficiency than prescription of a daily oral intake of 1600 IU (40 μg) vitamin D 3 .