The effect of vitamin D supplementation in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

ISRCTN ISRCTN59058825
DOI https://doi.org/10.1186/ISRCTN59058825
Secondary identifying numbers 54/2016
Submission date
28/02/2021
Registration date
12/04/2021
Last edited
17/08/2022
Recruitment status
No longer recruiting
Overall study status
Completed
Condition category
Nutritional, Metabolic, Endocrine
Prospectively registered
Protocol
Statistical analysis plan
Results
Individual participant data

Plain English summary of protocol

Background and study aims
Systemic lupus erythematosus, the most common form of lupus, is a chronic autoimmune disease that can cause severe fatigue and joint pain.
Vitamin D deficiency is common in SLE patients due to sun avoidance. The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of vitamin D supplementation on disease activity and fatigue in SLE patients who are vitamin D deficient or insufficient.

Who can participate?
SLE patients who fulfil the SLICC classification criteria for SLE, are over the age of 18 and have been diagnosed with vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency may participate.

What does the study involve?
The study involves an interview, filling in questionnaires and blood sampling at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of vitamin D supplementation.

What are the possible benefits and risks of participating?
The benefits of participating include being provided with free vitamin D supplementation for 1 year. The risks are very minimal and include potential side effects from vitamin D supplementation.

Where is the study run from?
The study is run from Mater Dei Hospital (Malta)

When is the study starting and how long is it expected to run for?
August 2016 to August 2018

Who is funding the study?
The Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Malta provided funding for this research. Quest NutraPharma sponsored the vitamin D3 supplementation but did not have any input with regards to setting up the protocol or conducting this research.

Who is the main contact?
Rosalie Magro, rosaliemagro@gmail.com

Contact information

Dr Rosalie Magro
Scientific

Department of Medicine
Mater Dei Hospital
Msida
MSD2090
Malta

ORCiD logoORCID ID 0000-0001-8486-8410
Phone +35679491959
Email rosaliemagro@gmail.com

Study information

Study designSingle centre interventional open-label study
Primary study designInterventional
Secondary study designNon randomised study
Study setting(s)Hospital
Study typeTreatment
Participant information sheet Not available in web format, please use contact details to request a participant information sheet.
Scientific titleVitamin D supplementation in systemic lupus erythematosus: relationship to disease activity, fatigue and the interferon signature gene expression
Study objectivesVitamin D supplementation in SLE results in improved disease activity, particularly when vitamin D is deficient.
Ethics approval(s)Approved 20/10/2016, University Research Ethics Committee, Malta Medical School, University of Malta (Msida, Malta; +356 23401214; research-ethics.committee@um.edu.mt), ref: 54/2016
Health condition(s) or problem(s) studiedTreatment of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus
InterventionSLE patients with vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency are supplemented with vitamin D3 8000IU daily for 8 weeks if they are vitamin D deficient, or 8000IU daily for 4 weeks if they are insufficient. This is followed by 2000IU daily maintenance. They are assessed at baseline, after 6 and 12 months by means of an interview, filling in questionnaires and blood tests.
Intervention typeSupplement
Primary outcome measureSystemic lupus erythematosus disease activity measured using SLEDAI-2K at baseline, 6 months and 12 months
Secondary outcome measures1. Fatigue measured using Fatigue Severity Scale at baseline, 6 and 12 months
2. Interferon signature gene expression measured using quantigene analysis at baseline and 6 months
Overall study start date25/08/2016
Completion date20/08/2018

Eligibility

Participant type(s)Patient
Age groupAdult
Lower age limit18 Years
SexBoth
Target number of participants40
Total final enrolment33
Key inclusion criteria1. Fulfills the SLICC classification criteria for SLE
2. Age ≥18 years
3. The presence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency
Key exclusion criteriaPatients with stage 4 and 5 chronic kidney disease
Date of first enrolment03/11/2016
Date of final enrolment20/07/2017

Locations

Countries of recruitment

  • Malta

Study participating centre

Mater Dei Hospital
Tal-Qroqq
Msida
MSD2090
Malta

Sponsor information

University of Malta
University/education

Faculty of Medicine and Surgery
Tal-Qroqq
Msida
MSD2080
Malta

Phone +356 2340 2340
Email info@um.edu.mt
Website http://www.um.edu.mt/
ROR logo "ROR" https://ror.org/03a62bv60

Funders

Funder type

University/education

Università ta' Malta
Private sector organisation / Universities (academic only)
Alternative name(s)
L-Università ta' Malta, University of Malta, The University of Malta, UM
Location
Malta

Results and Publications

Intention to publish date01/03/2021
Individual participant data (IPD) Intention to shareYes
IPD sharing plan summaryAvailable on request
Publication and dissemination planPlanned publication in a high-impact peer-reviewed journal.
IPD sharing planAll data generated or analysed during this study will be included in the subsequent results publication.

Study outputs

Output type Details Date created Date added Peer reviewed? Patient-facing?
Results article 03/12/2021 17/08/2022 Yes No

Editorial Notes

17/08/2022: Publication reference added.
02/03/2021: Trial’s existence confirmed by University of Malta