cholecalciferol and Rheumatic-Diseases

The existing guidelines on screening and treatment are confusing because different guidelines target different populations. The IOM and AAP guidelines target generally healthy populations, whereas the Endocrine Society and other subspecialty guidelines target individuals with specific medical conditions associated with increased bone fragility. These distinctions have not always been well articulated. For healthy adolescents, the AAP does not recommend universal screening or screening of obese or dark-skinned individuals. Increased dietary intake of vitamin D is recommended, and vitamin D supplementation can be considered if the RDA cannot be met. For adolescents with chronic medical illnesses associated with increased fracture risk, screening for vitamin D deficiency should be performed by obtaining a serum 25-OHD level. Those found to be deficient (25-OHD level < 20 ng/mL) should be treated with doses of vitamin D2 or vitamin D3 higher than the daily requirement (as discussed in the section on vitamin D and chronic disease), followed by a maintenance dose. A repeat 25-OHD level should be obtained after the therapeutic course is completed. Some experts advocate for achievement of 25-OHD levels greater than 30 ng/mL in conditions associated with increased bone fragility, and several pediatric subspecialty organizations have made recommendations specific to the diseases they treat. In such instances, the recommendations of the pediatric subspecialty organizations should take precedence over the AAP recommendations for adolescents with chronic illnesses associated with increased bone fragility because the AAP recommendations were primarily targeted at a healthy population.

Topics: Adolescent; Celiac Disease; Cholecalciferol; Comorbidity; Cystic Fibrosis; Ergocalciferols; Feeding and Eating Disorders; Humans; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases; Mass Screening; Practice Guidelines as Topic; Rheumatic Diseases; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins

To compare 3 different cholecalciferol supplementation regimens in patients with rheumatic diseases.. One hundred fifty-four patients who completed a 6-month course of cholecalciferol supplementation, of whom 111 had an autoimmune/inflammatory rheumatic disease (ARD) and 43 osteoarthritis (NARD), were retrospectively identified from a database of 872 consecutive adult patients who attended a tertiary level immuno-rheumatology clinic from 2007 to 2010. Patients with renal failure or primary hyperparathyroidism were excluded. Plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone (PTH) concentrations were evaluated at baseline and after completion of treatment with (i) a single oral dose of cholecalciferol 300,000 IU, followed by oral cholecalciferol 800-1000 IU daily for 6 months [high-dose loading treatment (HLT) group; n = 40]; (ii) a single oral dose of cholecalciferol 100,000 IU, followed by daily oral cholecalciferol as above [low-dose loading treatment (LLT) group; n = 30]; or (iii) daily oral cholecalciferol as above but without the loading dose [standard therapy (ST); n = 84].. The rates of serum 25(OH)D and PTH normalization (defined as values > 75 nmol/l and < 72.9 pg/ml, respectively) were as follows: HLT, 52.5% (95% CI 37.5-68.5) and 69.2% (95% CI 54.7-83.3); LLT, 36.7% (95% CI 19.7-54.3) and 53.8% (95% CI 36.2-71.8); ST, 31.0% (95% CI 21.1-40.9) and 35.0% (95% CI 14.1-55.9). All regimes increased 25(OH)D (p < 0.001) but only HLT reduced PTH (p < 0.01) in comparison to baseline. The ARD group had a similar 25(OH)D increase but a smaller PTH reduction than the NARD (p < 0.05).. An HLT cholecalciferol regimen is needed to correct hypovitaminosis D of patients with rheumatic diseases, with superior 25(OH)D normalization and PTH suppression rates at 6 months.

Topics: Aged; Autoimmune Diseases; Bone Density Conservation Agents; Cholecalciferol; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; Female; Humans; Male; Medical Records; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis; Parathyroid Hormone; Retrospective Studies; Rheumatic Diseases; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

Recent reports suggest a role of hypovitaminosis D in the pathogenesis of inflammatory autoimmune diseases (ARD); we investigated 25(OH)vitamin D plasma level before and after supplementation in ARD and NARD (non-ARD: osteoporosis and/or OA) patients. We retrospectively evaluated 572 consecutive clinical records of adult patients at immuno-rheumatology and rehabilitative units of our institution from January 2006 to October 2009. We excluded patients with vitamin D supplementation or renal failure, primary hyperparathyroidism, liver failure. We recorded 25(OH)vitamin D plasma concentration of 245 patients together with other clinical data. We then evaluated 25(OH)vitamin D plasma concentration of 100 (43 ARD and 57 NARD) patients previously included who underwent 750-1,000 UI/die 25(OH)vitamin D supplementation for at least 6 months. Appropriate statistical analysis was performed. The median 25(OH)vitamin D concentration was not significantly different between 119 ARD [33.4 (IQR 22.5-54.9) nmol/l] and 126 NARD patients 32.9 (IQR 18.7-50.2). In stepwise logistic regression, female sex (F:13.7), winter-spring season (F:5.6) and older age (F:5.3), but not ARD, predicted plasma 25(OH)vitamin D <75 nmol/l. Cholecalciferol supplementation increased 25(OH)vitamin D plasma concentration equally in both ARD and NARD; however, only 29/100 patients reached a plasma level ≥75 nmol/l without differences between ARD and NARD (χ(2) = n.s.). Hypovitaminosis D is common in rheumatic patients. Sex and age but not ARD are risk factors for this condition. 750-1,000 UI/die of cholecalciferol is not sufficient to normalize plasma level in these patients. Increase of plasma 25(OH)vitamin D after treatment is not influenced by the presence of an inflammatory autoimmune disease.

Topics: Aged; Autoimmune Diseases; Cholecalciferol; Female; Humans; Male; Middle Aged; Retrospective Studies; Rheumatic Diseases; Treatment Outcome; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency; Vitamins

Vitamin D is important for bone metabolism and neuromuscular function. While a routine dosage is often proposed in osteoporotic patients, it is not so evident in rheumatology outpatients where it has been shown that the prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high. The aim of the current study was to systematically evaluate the vitamin D status in our outpatient rheumatology population to define the severity of the problem according to rheumatologic diseases. During November 2009, all patients were offered a screening test for 25-OH vitamin D levels and categorised as deficient (<10 µg/l [ng/ml] [25 nmol/l]), insufficient (10 µg/l to 30 µg/l [25 to 75 nmol/l]) or normal (>30 µg/l [75 nmol/l]). A total of 272 patients were included. The mean 25-OH vitamin D level was 21 µg/l (range 1.5 to 45.9). A total of 20 patients had vitamin D deficiency, 215 patients had an insufficiency and 37 patients had normal results. In the group of patients with osteoporosis mean level of 25-OH vitamin D was 25 µg/l and 31% had normal results. In patients with inflammatory rheumatic diseases (N = 219), the mean level of 25-OH vitamin D was 20.5 µg/l, and only 12% had normal 25-OH vitamin D levels. In the small group of patients with degenerative disease (N = 33), the mean level of 25-OH vitamin D was 21.8 µg/l, and 21% had normal results. Insufficiency and deficiency were even seen in 38% of the patients who were taking supplements. These results confirm that hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in an outpatient population of rheumatology patients, affecting 86% of subjects. Despite oral supplementation (taken in 38% of our population), only a quarter of those on oral supplementation attained normal values of 25-OH vitamin D.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Aged, 80 and over; Cholecalciferol; Chronic Disease; Cross-Sectional Studies; Dietary Supplements; Female; Humans; Low Back Pain; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic; Male; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Prevalence; Rheumatic Diseases; Switzerland; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

A role for vitamin D in the pathogenesis of autoimmune and inflammatory diseases is emerging. We undertook an audit of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) investigation and treatment in rheumatology outpatients.. Serum 25OHD requests were matched to electronic medical records from rheumatology and metabolic bone clinics (April 2006-March 2007). Data were analysed separately for two groups, 'Documented osteoporosis/osteopaenia' (Group 1) and 'General rheumatology outpatients' (Group 2, sub-divided by diagnosis). Hypovitaminosis D was defined by 25OHD levels <50 nmol/l. Values were compared with healthy adults to calculate geometric z-scores.. A total of 263 patients were included (Group 1, n = 122; Group 2, n = 141) with an overall median 25OHD of 44 nmol/l. The 25OHD level among general rheumatology patients (median 39 nmol/l, mean z score -1.2, was statistically significantly lower than among osteoporotic/osteopaenic patients (median 49 nmol/l, mean z score of -0.9, p < 0.05 for the difference). 25OHD was lower in inflammatory arthritis and chronic pain/fibromyalgia than in other groups. Prescribing was recorded in 100 in Group 1 (of whom 95% were prescribed calcium/800 IU cholecalciferol) and 83 in Group 2 (91% calcium/800 IU). Only 31% of the patients with 25OHD <50 nmol/l would have been identified using general guidelines for screening patients at 'high risk' of hypovitaminosis D.. Improved guidelines for managing hypovitaminosis D in rheumatology patients are needed. We found a high prevalence of hypovitaminosis D among secondary care patients in rheumatology and widespread supplementation with 800 IU cholecalciferol. Substantially reduced levels of serum 25OHD were identified among patients with inflammatory arthritis and chronic pain.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Autoimmune Diseases; Calcium; Cholecalciferol; Fibromyalgia; Humans; Middle Aged; Osteoporosis; Retrospective Studies; Rheumatic Diseases; Vitamin D; Vitamin D Deficiency

To measure the Vitamin D status in patients attending a rheumatology outpatient clinic because of the known musculoskeletal and immunosuppressive effects of Vitamin D deficiency.. 66 consecutive patients at a private rheumatology clinic in central New Zealand were recruited at the beginning of winter.. Of 66 patients, 55 patients were included in the analysis. 43 (78%) had 25OH cholecalciferol levels that were below the reference range (50-150 nmol/L), and of these 12 (22%) had levels classified as moderate to severe deficiency (<25 nmol/L).. Vitamin D deficiency is common in this setting, and is likely to contribute to the musculoskeletal symptoms experienced in this population.

Topics: Adolescent; Adult; Age Distribution; Aged; Ambulatory Care Facilities; Asian People; Child; Cholecalciferol; Comorbidity; Humans; Middle Aged; New Zealand; Rheumatic Diseases; Vitamin D Deficiency; White People

Cellular mechanisms accounting for the osteolysis of rheumatoid erosions are poorly understood. Cells were isolated and characterised from the synovium of 16 patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) and four patients with osteoarthritis and their ability to resorb bone was assessed using a scanning electron microscope bone resorption assay. Macrophages were the major cell type isolated from the synovium of patients with RA. These produced extensive roughening of the bone surface without resorption pit formation. This low grade type of bone resorption was not affected by systemic (calcitonin, parathyroid hormone, 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3) or local (interleukin 1, prostaglandin E2) factors influencing bone resorption. Macrophage mediated bone resorption differs qualitatively and quantitatively from that of osteoclasts but is likely to play an important part in the development of marginal erosions in RA.

Topics: Adult; Aged; Arthritis, Rheumatoid; Bone and Bones; Bone Resorption; Calcitonin; Cells, Cultured; Cholecalciferol; Female; Humans; Interleukin-1; Macrophages; Male; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning; Middle Aged; Osteoarthritis; Parathyroid Hormone; Prostaglandins; Rheumatic Diseases; Synovial Membrane