title: The effect of vitamin D on COPD exacerbation: a double blind randomized placebo-controlled parallel clinical trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To investigate the effect of supplementation of standard treatment (inhaled long-acting β2 agonists, anticholinergics and corticosteroids) with vitamin D on C reactive protein and pulmonary function tests in patients with COPD exacerbation.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Randomized, single-center, double-blind, placebo-controlled parallel trial. One teaching hospital Participants: 135 patients in pulmonary ward with moderate to severe COPD and exacerbations.120 patients fulfilled the study protocol.
  
  
  METHODS
  Patients were randomly divided into three groups receiving 7 day treatment with 0.25 μg calcitriol daily (n = 45), 50000 IU daily of vitamin D (n = 45) or placebo (n = 45). An independent nurse was responsible for allocation, preparation, and accounting of trial medications.
  
  
  METHODS
  Maximal expiratory flow volume (FEV1) and forced volume capacity curves (FVC) and Modified Medical Research Council (MMRC) scale.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 135 patients who were recruited consecutively, 45 patients randomly were randomly assigned in three groups (balance blocked randomization.15 patients were dropped out due to non-compliance for second PFT. Intention to treat analysis was carried out for 120 participants. The difference between before and after treatment FEV1 and FEV1/FVC ratio had no significant difference between treatment groups and placebo. (P = 0.43, P = 0.51, respectively)but clinical improvement was significant in patients who received calcitriol. No side effects were reported.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Short term treatment with either calcitriol or 25(OH) 2Vit D didn't changed FEV1 or FVC in vitamin D sufficient patients with COPD exacerbation; nevertheless it can provide clinical benefit.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials no. IRCT138712271774N1. Registered 10 April 2011.
authors: Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Basic and Clinical Physiology Institute, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Mojgan
authors: M
authors: Sanjari
authors: Endocrinology and Metabolism Research Center, Endocrinology and Metabolism Clinical Sciences Institute, EBM Group, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
authors: Akbar
authors: A
authors: Soltani
authors: Department of Pulmonary Medicine, Kerman University of medical sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Abdolrahim
authors: A
authors: Habibi Khorasani
authors: Physiology Research Center, Institute of Neuropharmacology, Kerman University of Medical Sciences, Kerman, Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Zareinejad
keywords: COPD; Calcitriol; Forced Vital Capacity; Forced expiratory volume; Pulmonary function tests; Vitamin D