Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double‑Blind, Placebo‑Controlled Clinical Trial

International Journal of Preventive Medicine (Int J Prev Med)2008-780210220190219Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation in Patients with Irritable Bowel Syndrome: A Randomized, Double‑Blind, Placebo‑Controlled Clinical Trial20087802ENDepartment of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences & Digestive Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDigestive Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDigestive Disease Research Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, TehranDepartment of Clinical Nutrition and Dietetics, Faculty of Nutrition and Food Technology, National Nutrition and Food Technology Research Institute, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran20190218Objective: There are some evidence that Vitamin D supplementation may be benefcial for patients with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of Vitamin D supplementation on symptoms and quality of life (QOL) in patients with IBS. Methods: In a randomized, double‑blind, placebo‑controlled clinical trial, 116 patients with IBS were supplemented weekly with either a pearl of 50,000 IU Vitamin D or an identical pearl of placebo containing medium chain triglyceride for 6 weeks. Results: Mean age of patients was 42.24 ± 12.26, and 40.06 ± 13.37 in Vitamin D and placebo groups, respectively. Dietary intakes were similar between and within groups. Serum concentration of 25‑hydroxy Vitamin D increased signifcantly from 21.10 ± 5.23 to 36.43 ± 12.34 in the Vitamin D group (P < 0.001), while it was not signifcantly different before and after the trial in placebo group. The IBS symptoms severity scores (SSSs), disease‑specifc QOL, and total score were evaluated at weeks 0 and 6. IBS‑SSS, IBS‑QOL, and the total score were improved signifcantly more in Vitamin D group in comparison to the placebo group (P < 0.05). Conclusions: This study indicates that Vitamin D therapy can improve the severity of symptoms and QOL in patients with IBS; however, the long‑term effects remained to be elucidated. Trial registration at IRCT: IRCT201402234010N11 IRB Number: 116/3976 Keywords: Clinical trial, irritable bowel syndrome, quality of life, supplementation, Vitamin Dhttp://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/view/2003http://ijpm.mui.ac.ir/index.php/ijpm/article/download/2003/717717824