Vitamin D deficiency and its association with fatigue and quality of life in multiple sclerosis patients

Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the incidence and prevalence of a variety of neurologic disorders, including multiple sclerosis. However, available studies to date have not provided convincing evidence that vitamin D treatment improves fatigue and life quality in patients with multiple sclerosis.

To assess the relationship of vitamin D deficiency with health-related quality-of-life issues and fatigue in multiple sclerosis patients.

Vitamin D3 levels were measured in 149 multiple sclerosis patients. In patients with lower than 30 ng/mL levels, vitamin D was administered. Fatigue and health-related quality of life scores were measured at baseline and months 1, 3, 6, and 12 after the beginning of vitamin D3 administration.

Among 149 patients, 90% were vitamin D deficient. After vitamin D supplementation, health-related quality of life and fatigue scores improved significantly. There was a direct association between health-related quality of life with absence of fatigue and vitamin D status at the end of study.

The 90% frequency of multiple sclerosis patients with vitamin D deficiency, together with the significant association of vitamin D status with the absence of fatigue and improved physical and functional well-being, points to vitamin D supplementation as a potential therapy to enhance the patient's quality of life.

This article emphasizes that vitamin D supplementation can improve clinical outcome in multiple sclerosis patients providing immune modulation and neuroprotection. Identification and correction of vitamin D deficiency has the potential to treat the related quality of life in patients with multiple sclerosis.