Oral cholecalciferol versus ultraviolet radiation B: effect on vitamin D metabolites in patients with chronic pancreatitis and fat malabsorption - a randomized clinical trial.

BACKGROUND

Patients with chronic pancreatitis (CP) often develop fat malabsorption and are susceptible to hypovitaminosis D.

AIM

We wanted to evaluate the intestinal uptake of cholecalciferol in patients with CP and fat malabsorption.

METHODS

We did a prospective placebo-controlled study including patients with verified CP and fat malabsorption. They were randomized to 10 weeks of (A) ultraviolet radiation B (UVB) 6 min weekly in a commercial tanning bed, (B) vitamin D supplement 1,520 IU/daily, or (C) placebo. The vitamin D metabolites 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) and 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D (calcitriol) were quantified at the start and end of the study.

RESULTS

In total 30 patients were randomized and 27 completed the study. Compliance to tablets and tanning sessions was >80%. The changes in 25OHD levels in group B (32.3 nmol/l; 95% CI 15-50) were significantly greater than changes in group A (p < 0.001) and group C (p < 0.001). Changes in group A (1.1 nmol/l) did not differ from the placebo group (p = 0.9). Changes in calcitriol levels were identical between groups.

CONCLUSIONS

Daily vitamin D supplements increased 25OHD in patients with CP compared to placebo whereas weekly tanning bed sessions did not.