Effect of oral cholecalciferol 2,000 versus 5,000 IU on serum vitamin D, PTH, bone and muscle strength in patients with vitamin D deficiency
Osteoporosis International, 03/19/2012
Diamond T et al. – Treatment for 3 months with oral cholecalciferol 5,000 IU daily may be more effective than 2,000 IU daily in achieving optimal serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentrations in vitamin D–deficient patients.
Methods- Thirty deficient patients (serum 25OHD ≤50 nmol/L) were randomly assigned into two groups—i.e. 2,000 and 5,000 IU/day.
- Data were collected at baseline, at 2 and 3 months post–therapy:
- (a) clinical demographics
- (b) dietary calcium recall
- (c) physical tests of muscle function
- (d) biochemistry.
- Statistical analysis used paired student t test and analysis of variance.
- Regression analysis was used to determine relationship between serum 25OHD and parathyroid hormone (PTH).
- Twenty–six (87%) patients completed 3 months of therapy.
- The percent increase in serum 25OHD (compared to baseline) was 82.7% in 2,000–IU group and 219.5% in 5,000–IU group.
- All participants (100%) achieved a serum 25OHD concentration >50 nmol/L; only 5 subjects (45.4%) in 2,000–IU group compared to 14 subjects (93.3%) in 5,000–IU group achieved final 25OHD concentration ≥75 nmol/L (p < 0.01).
- In the regression analysis, the reflexion point at which the PTH level increased above the normal range was calculated to be 63.8 nmol/L 25OHD.
- All parameters of muscle strength showed trends in improvements following the administration of both the 2,000 and 5,000 IU doses.
- No patient reported untoward side effects and no patient developed hypercalcaemia.
