IBS quality of life improved by vitamin D (50,000 IU every two weeks) – RCT

Effect of vitamin D on gastrointestinal symptoms and health-related quality of life in irritable bowel syndrome patients: a randomized double-blind clinical trial

Neurogastroenterology & Motility, DOI: 10.1111/nmo.12851

A. Abbasnezhad1, R. Amani2,*, E. Hajiani3, P. Alavinejad3, B. Cheraghian4 andA. Ghadiri5

Note: They would have found a much better increase of QoL if they just looked at the time when vitamin D levels were raised enough to be effective - approximatly 4 months See also Gut problems associated with low vitamin D – invited review Dec 2015 This study does not appear to be aware of the many other ways to increase vitamin D - injection, topical, sublingual, "gut friendly" click on chart for details Quality of Life category listing has items 1. Intervention AND Gut {category}

ALL 8 measures improved by Vitamin D

Background

Low-grade mucosal inflammation and immune activation are involved in the pathogenesis of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Furthermore, IBS symptoms are associated with a significantly higher prevalence of psychological distress, which in itself results into an impaired quality of life (QoL). Vitamin D could ameliorate the symptoms of patients suffering from IBS through its beneficial effects on psychological factors and inflammation.

Methods

A total of 90 IBS patients participated in this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study. Participants were randomly selected to receive either 50 000 IU vitamin D3 or a placebo fortnightly for a period of 6 months. Patients reported their IBS symptoms at the baseline and monthly during intervention periods. The IBS severity score system (IBSSS) and IBS-specific QoL questionnaires were used at the baseline and postintervention.

Key Results

Over the 6-month intervention period, a significantly greater improvement in IBS symptoms such as abdominal pain and distention, flatulence, rumbling, and overall gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms (except dissatisfaction with bowel habits) was observed in the patients receiving vitamin D as compared to the placebo group. The IBSSS and the IBS-QoL scores in the vitamin D group significantly improved compared to the placebo group postintervention (mean IBSSS score change: -53.82 ± 23.3 vs -16.85 ± 25.01, p < 0.001, respectively; mean IBS-QoL score change: 14.26 ± 3 vs 11 ± 2.34, p < 0.001, respectively).

Conclusions & Inferences

Vitamin D seems to be an effective and safe option to improve QoL and symptoms of IBS. ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT02579902).

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