Current concepts regarding calcium metabolism and bone health in sarcoidosis

Vitamin D supplementation is widespread used in the general population. In sarcoidosis, up to 50% of patients, especially postmenopausal women and those taking corticosteroids, show evidence of increased bone fragility. The purpose of this review is to provide an evidence-based rationale on how to treat sarcoidosis patients with bone health issues.

Evidence from observational studies show that decreased 25-hydroxy vitamin D is common in sarcoidosis. However, the great majority of sarcoidosis patents have normal or often elevated levels of 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D (calcitriol), a marker associated with disease activity. High calcitriol levels may often be associated with hypercalcemia and hypercalcuria. The few interventional randomized controlled studies in the field, suggest that vitamin D supplementation may not be well tolerated because of hypercalcemia, moreover without substantial benefit on bone health and risk for fractures in these patients.

Vitamin D supplementation may be withheld in sarcoidosis patients with bone fragility, unless calcitriol levels are below normal limits. A treating scheme is proposed.