title: Correction of Low Vitamin D Improves Fatigue: Effect of Correction of Low Vitamin D in Fatigue Study (EViDiF Study).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Fatigue is a common presenting complaint of patients in the primary care offices. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with fatigue in cancer patients. Normalization of vitamin D level improves their fatigue. Whether low vitamin D plays a role in fatigue in medically stable patients is not known.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This prospective non-randomized therapeutic study observed the prevalence of low vitamin D in fatigue and the effect of normalization of vitamin D on fatigue.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and seventy four adult patients, who presented in our primary care office with fatigue and stable chronic medical conditions,completed fatigue assessment questionnaires. Patients with low vitamin D levels received ergocalciferol therapy for 5 weeks. Scores of pre- and post-treatment fatigue assessment questionnaires were compared.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Prevalence of low vitamin D was 77.2% in patients who presented with fatigue. After normalization of vitamin D levels fatigue symptom scores improved significantly (P < 0.001) in all five subscale categories of fatigue assessment questionnaires.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The prevalence of low vitamin D is high in patients who present with fatigue and stable chronic medical conditions, if any. Normalization of vitamin D levels with ergocalciferol therapy significantly improves the severity of their fatigue symptoms.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Satyajeet
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roy
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Anthony
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sherman
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Mary Joan
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Monari-Sparks
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Schweiker
authors.affiliation: Cooper Research Institute, Cooper University Hospital, Cooper Medical School of Rowan University, Camden, New Jersey, USA.
authors.forename: Krystal
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Hunter
keywords: Ergocalciferol therapy; Fatigue in primary care; Hypovitaminosis D; Low vitamin D