Hands and face exposure for vitamin D production

ISRCTN ISRCTN93416541
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN93416541
Secondary identifying numbers 19889
Submission date
10/12/2015
Registration date
10/12/2015
Last edited
24/05/2021
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Skin and Connective Tissue Diseases
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data
Record updated in last year

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Vitamin D is essential for good health, because it helps our bodies to absorb calcium from the diet. There is a lot of evidence that having enough vitamin D can help prevent against many diseases, such as heart disease, bone diseases and cancer. Although vitamins generally come from the diet, in the case of vitamin D, the majority of people actually get most of it from sunlight. National guidance on requirements for vitamin D assumes that casual exposure of limited areas of skin to summer sunlight is sufficient to avoid vitamin D deficiency. Previous studies have shown that a six week course of exposures to simulated summer sunlight while casually dressed (shorts and T-shirt) can produce adequate vitamin D levels in the majority of the UK white Caucasian population. The aim of this study is to determine if exposure of only hands and face can produce a sufficient rise in vitamin D levels to avoid deficiency.

Who can participate?
Healthy white Caucasian adults aged between 20 and 60.

What does the study involve?
All participants undergo a six week course of treatment, in which they are exposed to simulated sunlight (ultraviolet light) wearing clothes that expose only hands and face. Blood samples are taken at the start of the study, and then once a week so that the amount of vitamin D can be measured.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
Participants will not benefit directly from taking part in this study, however if they are found to have vitamin D deficiency, their GP will be informed in order to offer advice and/or treatment. No notable risks are anticipated, however there may be slight discomfort and bruising following the blood sample.

Where is the study run from?
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust (UK)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
November 2015 to October 2016

Who is funding the study?
The British Skin Foundation (UK)

Who is the main contact?
1. Dr Mark Farrar (scientific)
2. Mrs Joanne Osman (public)

Contact information

Dr Mark Farrar
Scientific

Photobiology Unit
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Hope Hospital
Stott Lane
Salford
Manchester
M13 9PL
United Kingdom

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-8602-7279
Mrs Joanne Osman
Public

Photobiology Unit
Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Hope Hospital
Stott Lane
Salford
Manchester
M6 8HD
United Kingdom

Study information

Study designNon-randomised; Interventional; Design type: Prevention, Treatment
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Other
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use the contact details below to request a patient information sheet
Scientific titleAn experimental photodermatology study examining the impact of hands and face exposure on cutaneous vitamin D production
Study objectivesThe aim of this study is to examine the change in vitamin D levels of white Caucasian adults during a course of simulated summer sunlight exposures to the hands and face.
Ethics approval(s)University of Manchester Research Ethics Committee, 22/10/2015, ref: 15440
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTopic: Dermatology; Subtopic: Skin (all Subtopics); Disease: Dermatology
InterventionAll participants undergo the intervention involving solar-simulated ultraviolet radiation. A dose of 1.3 SED (standard erythema dose) is given three times a week for 6 weeks. Blood samples are taken at the start of each week, before the first exposure, and one 3 days after the final exposure. Total duration for treatment and follow-up is 6 weeks.
Intervention typeOther
Primary outcome measureSerum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentration is measured using liquid chromatography tandem mass spectrophotometry (LC-MS/MS) at baseline and then weekly for up to 6 weeks.
Secondary outcome measuresN/A
Overall study start date20/04/2015
Completion date25/10/2016

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Healthy volunteer
Age groupAdult
SexBoth
Target number of participantsPlanned Sample Size: 40; UK Sample Size: 40
Total final enrolment44
Key inclusion criteria1. Aged 20-­60 years
2. Ambulant
3. Healthy
4. White Caucasian (sun-reactive skin type I­-IV)
5. Willing and capable of participating to the extent and degree required by the protocol
Key exclusion criteria1. Sunbathing or sunbed use in the last 3 months
2. Taking photoactive medication or bone active therapies
3. Taking vitamin D, fish oil or calcium supplements
4. History of skin cancer or photosensitivity disorder
5. Pregnancy or lactation
Date of first enrolment23/11/2015
Date of final enrolment31/03/2016

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • England
  • United Kingdom

Study participating centre

Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust
Stott Lane
Salford
M6 8HD
United Kingdom

Sponsor information

University of Manchester
University/education

Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
England
United Kingdom

ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/027m9bs27

Funders

Funder type

Charity

British Skin Foundation
Private sector organisation / Trusts, charities, foundations (both public and private)
Alternative name(s)
BSF
Location
United Kingdom

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date31/12/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareNo
IPD sharing plan summaryData sharing statement to be made available at a later date
Publication and dissemination planPrimary outcome data will be published once data have been validated and analysed.
IPD sharing plan

Editorial Notes

24/05/2021: The following changes have been made:
1. The final enrolment number has been added.
2. The trial participating centre has been changed from Hope Hospital to Salford Royal NHS Foundation Trust.
3. The intention to publish date has been changed from 31/03/2017 to 31/12/2021.