This would imply that vD levels may be low in MS as a result of disease MS disease activity, i.e. the inflammation itself lowers the levels, possibly by consuming vD as part of the inflammatory reaction. This would mean that we may to re-look at studies suggesting causal links:
OBJECTIVE: This study sought to determine whether vitamin D status is associated with developing new T2 lesions or contrast-enhancing lesions on brain MRI in RRMS.
METHODS: EPIC is a 5-year longitudinal MS cohort study at the University of California at San Francisco. Participants had clinical evaluations, brain MRI, and blood draws annually. From the overall cohort, we evaluated MSers with clinically isolated syndrome or relapsing-remitting MS at baseline. In univariate and multivariate (adjusted for age, sex, ethnicity, smoking, and MS treatments) repeated measures analyses, annual 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were evaluated for their association with subsequent new T2-weighted and gadolinium-enhancing T1-weighted lesions on brain MRI, clinical relapses, and disability (EDSS).
RESULTS: A total of 2,362 3T brain MRI scans were acquired from 469 subjects. In multivariate analyses, each 10ng/ml higher 25-hydroxyvitamin D level was associated with a 15% lower risk of a new T2 lesion (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 0.85; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.76-0.95; p = 0.004) and a 32% lower risk of a gadolinium-enhancing lesion (IRR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.53-0.87; p = 0.002). Each 10ng/ml higher vitamin D level was associated with lower subsequent disability (-0.047; 95% CI, -0.091 to -0.003; p = 0.037). Higher vitamin D levels were associated with lower, but not statistically significant, relapse risk. Except for the EDSS model, all associations were stronger when the within-person change in vitamin D level was the predictor.
INTERPRETATION: Vitamin D levels are inversely associated with MS activity on brain MRI. These results provide further support for a randomized trial of vitamin D supplementation.
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 MSer.
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. MSers 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 with MS, increasing levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D are inversely associated with radiologic disease activity irrespective of their HLA-DRB1*15 status.
Association vs. Causation |
Nevertheless there is a link between VitD and MS.So every MSer should get their levels checked and take supplements if necessary. Even high dose VitD is affordable. Approx. EUR 8,00 / 60 pills (2 months) It doesn't have any side effect after all, has it?
Rare side effects and usually in association with other conditions.
EUR8,00 for 60 pills is expensive. I suggest you buy them via the vD council's website!
Is there a link? Because I got confused now with the new causation/association story. But more importantly: no matter how the relationship looks like – VitD deplete MSers should still increase their levels right?
That is correct. We need the trial results re causation. Until then take your vD!
If low Vitamin D is a result of MS how would this fit the Geography of MS ? Would it be wise to monitor your Ca levels if supplementing with Vit D with Hypercalcemia being a risk factor ? Is poor absorption the real culprit ?
Calcium levels only need to be checked if you are taking calcium supplements, have a condition that predisposes you to hypercalcaemia (hyperparathyroidism, sarcoidosis) or have symptoms of hypercalcaemia. Poor vD absorption happens very rarely in association with fat malabsorption.
What are the most common culprits for poor vD absorption?Some seem to have low levels despite excessive supplementation.
Genes!Wang et al. Common genetic determinants of vitamin D insufficiency: a genome-wide association study. Lancet. 2010 Jul 17;376(9736):180-8. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086761/
then what to do in this case? Is gene therapy available?Shall they take supplements than the rest (say 20,000 IU a day)?
Prof G – how does one proof that one is indeed genetically predisposed? Is there a test establishing that one's insuffciency is genetic? I am insufficient despite supplementation but the doctor does nothing about it.I wouldn't mind to pay privately for a test – just need to know which one.
i am in the same situation….what's the point in being tested? (assuming a test exists)this paper is actually really interesting: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3086761/testing only helps if you can do something about it: Gene therapy , safe overdosing, narrowband UVB therapy…this is what you and me need to know. this is what matters, considering that we are predisposed to cancer as well…we are better off spending our money trying to fix it than finding the root cause