Vitamin D Supplementation Seems to Improve Fibromyalgia Symptoms: Preliminary Results.
Isr Med Assoc J. 2018 Jun;20(6):379-381. PMID: 29911760
de Carvalho JF, da Rocha Araújo FAG, da Mota LMA, Aires RB, de Araujo RP.
Visual analog scale scores (out ot 100)
90 Before
30 After
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- Fibromyalgia treated with Vitamin D (50,000 IU weekly for 3 months) – 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019
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BACKGROUND:
Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency have been reported in fibromyalgia. However, to the best of our knowledge, only one study has evaluated the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] supplementation on fibromyalgia symptoms.
OBJECTIVES:
To analyze the effects of 3 months of 25(OH)D supplementation on symptoms of fibromyalgia.
METHODS:
This study included 11 female patient. Demographic and clinical data, tender points, visual analog scale results, and pre- and post-serum levels of 25(OH)D supplementation were analyzed. The levels of 25(OH)D were measured by a radioimmunologic test.
RESULTS:
Patients with fibromyalgia diagnosis and 25(OH)D values ≤ 30 ng/ml were recruited to receive 50,000 IU of oral vitamin D once every week for 3 months. The disease was diagnosed based on the American College of Rheumatology criteria. The median age of all patients was 48.5 (28-67) years and 63.4% were Caucasian. Disease duration varied from 1-10 years. The 25(OH)D levels increased significantly after 3 months, 18.4 (15.5-25.8) ng/ml vs. 33.8 (28-58) ng/ml, P = 0.01. Interestingly, an improvement of visual analog scale scores was observed at 3 months, 90 (0-100) vs. 30 (0-80), P = 0.002.
Eight patients (72.2%) responded that they experienced a very significant improvement in symptoms. In addition, a trend for reduction of the number of tender points was observed after 3 months, 17 (11-18) vs. 10 (0-18), P = 0.07.
CONCLUSIONS:
The 25(OH)D levels and disease symptoms in patients with fibromyalgia and vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency seem to improve with vitamin D supplementation.