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.