title: Treatment of vitamin D deficiency in cystic fibrosis.
abstract: Vitamin D deficiency occurs frequently in patients with cystic fibrosis (CF). Vitamin D is important for optimal mineralization of bone and may be important for other comorbidities commonly occurring in patients with CF. Vitamin D deficiency in patients with CF can arise from various causes including pancreatic exocrine insufficiency, lack of outdoor activity, and alterations of vitamin D metabolism. Due to fat malabsorption stemming from pancreatic insufficiency, higher oral doses of vitamin D are necessary to correct and maintain optimal vitamin D status in patients with CF. Recent studies have demonstrated that higher vitamin D status is associated with better lung function and that vitamin D therapy may help recovery from pulmonary exacerbations of CF. The mechanisms by which vitamin D may exert its beneficial actions in CF are unclear but likely related to the role vitamin D has in modulating the adaptive and innate immune response. Large randomized clinical studies to evaluate the potential role of vitamin D as adjunctive therapy in CF that goes beyond bone are necessary.
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA.
authors.forename: Supavit
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Chesdachai
authors.affiliation: Division of Endocrinology, Metabolism and Lipids, Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine and the Atlanta VA Medical Center, Atlanta, GA, USA. Electronic address: vin.tangpricha@emory.edu.
authors.forename: Vin
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Tangpricha
mesh_terms: D001847:Bone Diseases / Q000150:complications; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015897:Comorbidity; D003550:Cystic Fibrosis / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D004872:Ergocalciferols / Q000737:chemistry / Q000627:therapeutic use; D006801:Humans; D007249:Inflammation; D008168:Lung / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D012129:Respiratory Function Tests; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D004872:Ergocalciferols; D014807:Vitamin D; D002762:Cholecalciferol; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D