title: Vitamin D treatment in Somali women living in Sweden - Two randomized, placebo-controlled studies.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  There is limited information about the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and the effects of treatment on immigrants. The effects of oral vitamin D intake and UVB treatment on vitamin D status in healthy Somali women living in Sweden were analysed.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two studies were carried out; a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study, with oral drops of 800 IU and 1600 IU cholecalciferol and similar amounts of placebo given daily during 12 weeks and a single-blind, placebo-controlled study, using UVB (4·3-8·7 J/cm(2) ) or Woods lamp (placebo) on the upper body, or the face and hands.
  
  
  METHODS
  One-hundred fourteen Somali women, mean age 34 years, latitude 0-10°N, living in Sweden >2 years, latitude 57°N, participated.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (S-25(OH)D) was monitored before, every 6 weeks and at 3 months after treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the women (n = 83, 73%) were vitamin D-deficient, S-25(OH)D < 25 nmol/l at start. There was a dose-dependent increase in S-25(OH)D levels (P = 0·001, stratified Jonckheere-Terpstra test) with a mean increase after twelve weeks in women treated with 800 IU/day and women treated with 1600 IU/day of 18 nmol/l (95% CI: 6-29, median = 17) and 29 nmol/l (95% CI: 17-42, median = 34), respectively. S-25(OH)D decreased during follow-up but remained above baseline levels. The placebo group remained unchanged throughout the study. UVB treatment increased S-25(OH)D dose-dependently after 6 weeks (P = 0·03, Jonckheere-Terpstra test).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Vitamin D deficiency was common in immigrants living at higher latitudes. Vitamin D treatment increased S-25(OH)D levels dose-dependently during 3 months. The effect was maintained for another 3 months. At least 1600 IU/day is recommended. The dropout rate was high.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden. Amra.Osmancevic@vgregion.se.
authors.forename: Amra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Osmancevic
authors.affiliation: Hjällbo Primary Health Care, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Taye
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Demeke
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Gillstedt
authors.affiliation: Brämhult Primary Health Care, Borås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Eva
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Angesjö
authors.affiliation: Department of Geriatric Medicine, Södra Älvsborgs Hospital, Borås, Sweden.
authors.forename: Håkan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Sinclair
authors.affiliation: Cleopatra Medical Centre, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Gamal
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abd El-Gawad
authors.affiliation: Section for Endocrinology, Institution of Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital at Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg, Gothenburg, Sweden.
authors.forename: Kerstin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Landin-Wilhelmsen
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D016903:Drug Monitoring; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012998:Somalia / Q000208:ethnology; D013548:Sweden / Q000453:epidemiology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D