Differences in outcomes between cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol supplementation in veterans with inflammatory bowel disease.
Geriatr Gerontol Int. 2012 Jan 10. doi: 10.1111/j.1447-0594.2011.00798.x.
Youssef D, Bailey B, Atia A, El-Abbassi A, Manning T, Peiris AN.
Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases Department of Family Medicine Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Gastroenterology Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Endocrinology, East Tennessee State University Department of Medicine, Mountain Home VAMC, Johnson City, Tennessee, USA.
Aim: Vitamin D deficiency is a global health issue associated with increased health-care costs, and could play a role in the pathogenesis and management of inflammatory bowel disease. Prior studies show a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in veterans with inflammatory bowel disease. We aimed to examine the outcome differences in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, comparing treatment with ergocalciferol to cholecalciferol.
Methods: A retrospective review of electronic medical records of patients with inflammatory bowel disease at a Veterans Affairs Medical Facility in the Southeastern United States was carried out. Those with at least one serum 25(OH) vitamin D level were included. Initial and follow-up vitamin D values were recorded. The type of vitamin?D supplementation, whether cholecalciferol or ergocalciferol, was documented. Costs in the year after measurement of vitamin D were divided into separate inpatient and outpatient categories.
Results: Veterans (n=108) with ulcerative colitis or Crohn's disease and an available 25(OH) vitamin D level were studied.
There were differences in follow-up vitamin D levels; those who received weekly ergocalciferol had higher subsequent levels than those who received cholecalciferol, especially at a second follow up, although differences did not achieve statistical significance.
However, those who received vitamin D3 were less likely to use laboratory, pharmacy, radiology and fee-based services, and had lower laboratory and pharmacy costs.
Conclusions: Our data suggest that cholecalciferol replacement might improve outcomes to a greater extent than ergocalciferol, and might be better in limiting health-care costs and expenses in patients with inflammatory bowel disease.
PMID: 22233182
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Note from Dr. Peiris: Oral vitamin D3 was used.
See also VitaminDWiki
- Overview Vitamin D3 not D2
- Vitamin D might reduce military costs for UC and CD – June 2011 some of the same authors
- Dogs – like humans – with IBD were low on vitamin D – July 2011
- IBD UC and CD at risk of being vitamin D deficient – May 2011
- Crohn’s disease deficient in vitamin K – IBD deficient in vitamins K and D – April 2011
- People with gut problems are low on vitamin D – April 2011
- Extra Vitamin D needed for Crohns
- Colitis associated with low level of vitamin D in mice – April 2010
- Vitamin D Fights Crohn's Disease Mercola Feb 2010 file
- Crohn’s relapse reduced from 29% to 13% by taking 1200 IU of D3 – May 2010
- Bio-emulsified drops – Dec 2010 low cost and particularly good for those with gut problems
- IBD and Crohn but not Colitis associated with low vitamin D – May 2011