title: Prospective evaluation of the effect of short-term oral vitamin d supplementation on peripheral neuropathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the efficacy of short-term oral vitamin D supplementation on peripheral neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.
  
  
  METHODS
  This prospective, placebo-controlled trial included 112 type 2 diabetic patients with diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) and vitamin D [25(OH)D] deficiency. Patients were sequentially assigned to a treatment group (n = 57) and a placebo group (n = 55). DPN was assessed using a neuropathy symptom score (NSS), a neuropathy disability score (NDS) and a nerve conduction study (NCS). Vitamin D status was determined by measuring the serum total 25(OH)D concentration. Patients received either oral vitamin D3 capsules or starch capsules once weekly for 8 weeks. The primary outcome was changes in NSS and NDS from baseline. The secondary outcome was changes in the NCS result.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Serum 25(OH)D concentrations significantly improved after oral vitamin D supplementation in the treatment group when compared to the placebo group (32.8 ± 23.7 vs. 1.1 ± 3.6, p < 0.0001). Similarly, the improvement in NSS values was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the placebo group (-1.49 ± 1.37 vs. -0.20 ± 0.59, p < 0.001). No improvement was observed for NDS and NCS between the 2 groups after treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short-term oral vitamin D3 supplementation improved vitamin D status and the symptoms of neuropathy in patients with type 2 diabetes.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, Jabriya, Kuwait.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shehab
authors.forename: Khaled
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Al-Jarallah
authors.forename: Nabila
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdella
authors.forename: Olusegun A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Mojiminiyi
authors.forename: Hisham
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al Mohamedy
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications*; D003929:Diabetic Neuropathies / Q000188:drug therapy*; D019587:Dietary Supplements; D004185:Disability Evaluation; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011446:Prospective Studies
chemical_list: D002762:Cholecalciferol