Short-Term UVB Treatment or Intramuscular Cholecalciferol to Prevent Hypovitaminosis D After Gastric Bypass—a Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

In this randomized trial, both interventions, UVB and cholecalciferol, given as an adjunct to oral supplementation in gastric bypass patients, increased the levels of 25[OH]D. Simplicity makes injection therapy suitable for maintaining vitamin D levels during the Nordic winter.

Cholecalciferol Injections Are Effective in Hypovitaminosis D After Duodenal Switch: a Randomized Controlled Study

“…This study was conducted from December to May when sunlight is limited in Sweden to avoid the influence of UV-B radiation, as it is a major source in the process of vitamin D synthesis. The injection group received a single dose of 600,000 IU cholecalciferol vitamin D3 Streuli® (Streuli Pharma AG, Uznach); the dosage was chosen according to earlier studies [ 14 , 17 ]. Patients in both groups were instructed to limit their total diet supplementation to 1400 IU of vitamin D. Diet was not otherwise regulated in either group.…”

“…A p value < 0.05 was considered significant. A sample size calculation was based on the increase to 80 mmol/L (SD 18) in 25[OH]D, this in response to an identical dose of intramuscular cholecalciferol as used in the study by Einarsdóttir [ 17 ] and the assumption that the present BPD/DS patients had a baseline value no greater than 50 (as found in our previous work in gastric bypass patients [ 14 ]. In order to demonstrate an increase from 50 to 80 with an SD of 18 and a power index of 95% at p < 0.05, the required sample size was nine patients in each group.…”

“…Massive weight loss through bariatric surgery has been shown to restore levels initially; however, post-operative hypovitaminosis D is equally commonly described in the long term, despite various types of oral supplementation [ 10 – 13 ]. A previous study conducted by our group demonstrated that gastric bypass patients could be effectively treated for vitamin D deficiency with UV-B treatment three times a week [ 14 ]. However, as the treatment was considered tiresome, compliance as well as vitamin D levels decreased during the course.…”