Impact of vitamin D on spirometry findings and quality of life in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a randomized, double-blinded, placebo-controlled clinical trial

Abstract

COPD is an irreversible chronic illness with airflow limitation. The aim of the current study was to assess the role of vitamin D₃ on quality of life and pulmonary function in patients with COPD. A randomized, double-blinded clinical trial was conducted in 63 patients with COPD. Patients were placed into intervention and placebo groups. Each individual in the intervention group took 50,000 IU vitamin D₃once a week for 8 weeks and then once a month for 4 months. There was no significant difference among FEV₁, FEV₁/FVC, and number of exacerbations in patients with COPD (P>0.05). In the intervention group, a significant difference was observed in quality of life at 2 months (P<0.001) and 6 months (P<0.001). In addition, qualitative analysis showed that the status of exacerbation had not got worse six months after initiation in the intervention group. The current study shows that consumption of 50,000 IU vitamin D₃, as a convenient supplementation in a daily diet, is able to increase quality of life in patients with COPD.

Keywords:

• airflow obstruction
• chronic
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃
• life quality

Acknowledgments

This study was financially supported by Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Guilan, Iran. The trial is registered with the Iranian Registry of Clinical Trials (2013072114085N2). The full trial protocol can be accessed at http://fa.irct.ir/trial/13784. We gratefully acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the investigators, coordinators, and volunteer patients who participated in this study and the clinical research development units of Rasht Razi hospital. No funding to declare.

Availability of data and material

Data sets used and/or analyzed during the current study are available from the corresponding author on reasonable request.

Ethics approval and consent to participate

The approval ID of the research-ethics certificate is 1910354603 at Guilan University of Medical Sciences. This was approved on January 1, 2013.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest in this work.