Narrowband ultraviolet B three times per week is more effective in treating vitamin D deficiency than 1600 IU oral vitamin D₃ per day: a randomized clinical trial.
BACKGROUND
It is known that narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) radiation and oral vitamin D(3) supplementation can both improve serum levels of vitamin D, expressed as 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) [25(OH)D(3) ]. However, surprisingly few studies have compared the effects of the two interventions in treating vitamin D deficiency.


OBJECTIVE
To compare the effect of NB-UVB exposure with oral vitamin D(3) supplementation on vitamin D levels in patients with vitamin D deficiency.


METHODS
Seventy-three participants with vitamin D deficiency [25(OH)D(3) ≤ 25 nmol L(-1) ] were consecutively enrolled from February 2010 to May 2011, avoiding the summer period (June to September). The participants were randomized into two groups, one receiving full body NB-UVB exposure three times per week, the other receiving 1600 IU (40 μg) oral vitamin D(3) per day together with 1,000 mg calcium. Thirty-two participants completed the 6-week study period, 16 in each group. In both groups blood samples were obtained at baseline and after 3 and 6 weeks.


RESULTS
We found a significantly greater increase in 25(OH)D(3) levels (mean) in the NB-UVB treated group (from 19·2 to 75 nmol L(-1) ) compared with the oral vitamin D(3) treated group (from 23·3 to 60·6 nmol L(-1) ) after 6 weeks of treatment (P = 0·02), accompanied by a significant decrease in parathyroid hormone for the whole group (from 5·3 to 4·2 pmol L(-1) , P = 0·028).


CONCLUSIONS
Full body NB-UVB three times per week is more effective in treating vitamin D deficiency than prescription of a daily oral intake of 1600 IU (40 μg) vitamin D(3) .
Department of Dermatology, Skåne University Hospital, Lund University, Malmö, Sweden. bogh@dadlnet.dk
M K B
MK
Bogh
J
J
Gullstrand
A
A
Svensson
B
B
Ljunggren
M
M
Dorkhan
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000328:Adult; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014467:Ultraviolet Therapy / Q000379:methods*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage*
D014815:Vitamins; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D