Ultraviolet B radiation improves serum levels of vitamin D in patients with cystic fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation can be used in the prevention and treatment of vitamin D deficiency.


OBJECTIVE
To investigate, in a controlled study of patients with cystic fibrosis (CF), whether regular UVB radiation would improve serum levels of calcidiol during the dark season (October-April).


METHODS
Thirty patients with mild to moderate disease were included (aged 9-40 y). All patients had cholecalciferol supplementation. One group (15 patients) was given UVB one to three times a week for 6 mo and one group (15 sex- and age-matched patients) served as controls. The radiation source consisted of three TL 12/40W UVB fluorescent lamps. Initial treatment duration was 1 min, subsequently increased by 0.5-1 min/treatment to a maximum of 10 min.


RESULTS
The mean initial serum calcidiol levels were 21 ng/ml in the controls and 22 ng/ml in the intervention group. Serum calcidiol levels increased to 44 ng/ml after 8 wk and to 50 ng/ml after 24 wk of UVB radiation; the corresponding serum levels in the controls were 19 and 25 ng/ml, respectively. The mean serum calcitriol levels increased in the treated group and were unaltered in the control group.


CONCLUSIONS
UVB radiation was effective in increasing vitamin D levels in patients with CF. The study results imply that UVB radiation is valuable in chronic conditions associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Gronowitz
Eva
E
Department of Paediatrics, Göteborg Univsersity, Göteborg, Sweden. eva.gronowitz@vgregion.se
Larkö
Olle
O
Gilljam
Marita
M
Hollsing
Annika
A
Lindblad
Anders
A
Mellström
Dan
D
Strandvik
Birgitta
B
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010281:Parathyroid Hormone / Q000097:blood / Q000502:physiology; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications / Q000532:radiotherapy*
D010281:Parathyroid Hormone; D014807:Vitamin D; D002112:Calcifediol