Effects of Vitamin D3 as Adjunct Therapy in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Comparative Cross-Sectional Study

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on exacerbation rates, lung function, inflammation, and quality of life in COPD patients.

Methodology: A comparative cross-sectional was carried out at the Department of Pulmonology, Mayo Hospital, Lahore over a six-month duration. 92 diagnosed cases of COPD were randomly distributed into two groups. One group received monthly oral Vitamin D (cholecalciferol, 200,000 IU) with standard COPD management, while the other group received a placebo. Follow-up assessments were carried out at baseline, three months, and six months to measure the incidence of exacerbations, COPD Assessment Test (CAT) scores, levels of C-reactive protein (CRP), and pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC).

Results: The vitamin D-receiving group had experienced a significant reduction in exacerbation rates from 73.9% in the one month to 23.9% by the sixth month. Furthermore, the Vitamin D group showed a marked decrease in CRP levels (from 7.85 ± 5.44 to 4.04 ± 3.05), substantial improvements in CAT scores (from 27.52 ± 3.53 to 11.24 ± 3.45), and with rise in FEV1/FVC rising from 48.26 ± 3.85 to 63.69 ± 9.72. The placebo group experienced worsening inflammation and only minimal gains in scoring of CAT score and functioning of the lungs.

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation in COPD patients has been shown to markedly decrease exacerbations, and improve lung function tests highlighting the possible utility of Vitamin D in addition to the regular treatment of COPD.