Research: Which Vitamin D trial is Correct?

Epub: Stewart et al. Interferon-β and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D interact to modulate relapse risk in MS. Neurology. 2012 Jun 13.

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether interferon-β (IFN-β) medication use is associated with vitamin D levels and whether the two interact in exerting effects on relapse risk.

METHODS: In a prospective cohort of 178 MSers living in southern Tasmania in 2002-2005, serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] was measured biannually, with assessment by questionnaire for relevant factors, including IFN-β treatment.


RESULTS: Subjects reporting IFN-β use had significantly higher mean 25(OH)D than persons who did not (p < 0.001). This was mediated by an interaction between personal sun exposure and IFN-β, with treated persons realizing nearly three times 25(OH)D per hour of sun exposure of persons not on therapy. The association between 25(OH)D and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D did not differ by IFN-β therapy (p = 0.82). 25(OH)D was associated with a reduced relapse risk only among persons on IFN-β (p < 0.001). Importantly, IFN-β was only protective against relapse among persons with higher 25(OH)D (hazard ratio [HR] 0.58 [95% confidence interval (CI) 0.35-0.98]), while among 25(OH)D-insufficient persons, IFN-β increased relapse risk (HR 2.01 [95% CI 1.22-3.32]).

CONCLUSION: In this study, IFN-β therapy is associated with greater production of vitamin D from sun exposure, suggesting part of the therapeutic effects of IFN-β on relapse in MS may be through modulation of vitamin D metabolism. These findings suggest persons being treated with IFN-β should have vitamin D status monitored and maintained in the sufficiency range. 



Epub: Løken-Amsrud KI et al. Vitamin D and disease activity in multiple sclerosis before and during interferon-β treatment. Neurology. 2012 Jun 13.

OBJECTIVE: Studies based on deseasonalized vitamin D levels suggest that vitamin D may influence the disease activity in MS, and high doses are suggested as add-on treatment to interferon-β (IFN-β). Seasonal fluctuation of vitamin D varies between individuals, thus the relationship to disease activity should preferentially be studied by repeated and simultaneous vitamin D and MRI measurements from each patient.

METHODS: This was a cohort study comprising 88 MSers with relapsing-remitting MS who were followed for 6 months with 7 MRI and 4 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements before initiation of IFN-β, and for 18 months with 5 MRI and 5 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurements during IFN-β treatment.

RESULTS: Prior to IFN-β treatment, each 10 nmol/L increase in 25-hydroxyvitamin D was associated with 12.7% (p = 0.037) reduced odds for new T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions, 11.7% (p = 0.044) for new T2 lesions, and 14.1% (p = 0.024) for combined unique activity. Patients with the most pronounced fluctuation in 25-hydroxyvitamin D displayed larger proportion of MRI scans with new T1 gadolinium-enhancing lesions (51% vs 23%, p = 0.004), combined unique activity (60% vs 32%, p = 0.003), and a trend for new T2 lesions (49% vs 28%, p = 0.052) at the lowest compared to the highest 25-hydroxyvitamin D level. No association between 25-hydroxyvitamin D and disease activity was detected after initiation of IFN-β. HLA-DRB1*15 status did not affect the results.


CONCLUSION: In untreated MSers, increasing levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are inversely associated with radiologic disease activity irrespective of their HLA-DRB1*15 status


“These two studies have highlighted a possible interaction between 25(OH)D levels and treatment with interferon-β (IFN-β), reaching opposite conclusions. How strong is this evidence and how should it affect clinical practice? Not strong enough to be definitive, but clearly it needs to be looked at in more detail. Hopefully this will tempt the Pharma companies who have done IFNbeta trials to take samples out of the freezer to address this question. Should it affect clinical practice? Yes, it should! I already encourage all MSers under my care to make themselves vD replete; I recommend 5,000IU of vD3 per day.”

6 thoughts on “Research: Which Vitamin D trial is Correct?”

  1. But what's the evidence that 5,000 IU of vD3 is of help to an MSer when the disease is in full swing? An individual with PPMS or SPMS isn't likely to change the course of their disease via vD3 spplements.

  2. Re: "But what's the evidence that 5,000 IU of vD3 is of help to an MSer when the disease is in full swing?"There is little evidence at present, but the main aim of being vD replete for the other health benefits. People who are vD deficient are more likely to have infections, develop cancers and have thin bones. The latter is sufficient for me; as an MSer you are 6X more likely to suffer a hip/femur fracture. vD is one of the preventative measures we promote to reduce this risk.

  3. If you have alemtuzumab treatment and are full of Vit D, surely you are giving a better environment for the rebooting immune system to develop in, with more chance of it not reverting to its bad old ways?

  4. Why stop at 5,000 IU of vD3 when you can buy 10,000 for £5 more?Is 10,000 considered too much?Can it cause problems?

  5. Re: "Why stop at 5,000 IU of vD3 when you can buy 10,000 for £5 more?"I am simply quoting the Vitamin D Council's guidelines. You are correct; 10,000U may be fine, particularly if you have a disease in which consumption of vD may be involved, e.g. MS.

  6. Re: "If you have alemtuzumab treatment and are full of Vit D, surely you are giving a better environment for the rebooting immune system to develop in, with more chance of it not reverting to its bad old ways?"I have no idea; we would need to study this in more detail.

Leave a Reply to AnonymousCancel reply

Discover more from Prof G's MS Blog Archive

Subscribe now to keep reading and get access to the full archive.

Continue reading