The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Disease Activity Markers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
The Effect of Vitamin D Supplementation on Disease Activity Markers in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic multi-system inflammatory autoimmune disease.
 Vitamin D has potent immunomodulatory properties that have promoted its potential use in the
 treatment of autoimmune conditions, including SLE. We assessed vitamin D status in SLE
 patients and determined alterations in inflammatory, hemostatic markers as well as disease
 activity before and after vitamin D supplementation.

 248 SLE patients were enrolled in this randomized placebo-controlled study. Patients were
 randomized 2:1 to receive either oral cholecalciferol 2000 IU/day or placebo for 12 months.
 Outcome measures included assessment of alterations in levels of IL-1, IL-6, IL-18,
 TNF-alpha, Anti-dsDNA, ANA, fibrinogen and von Willebrand Factor (vWF) before and after 12
 months supplementation. Disease activity was measured by the SLEDAI. Vitamin D levels were
 measured by Liaison immunoassay; (normal 30-100ng/ml). Serum levels between 10-30 ng/ml were
 classified as vitamin D insufficiency, and levels < 10 ng/ml as vitamin D deficiency.The mean
 25(OH) D level at baseline was 19.8 ng/ml in patients compared to 28.7 ng/ml in controls.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Premenopausal women and males of the same body mass index and ethnicity

 Exclusion Criteria:

 Patients with:

 -  other inflammatory disorders,

 -  hepatic disease

 -  renal disease

 -  malignant disease.