Lupus Patients Benefit from Vitamin D Supplements

Add systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) to the list of diseases that may benefit from vitamin D supplements. This small prospective, open-label study found that SLE patients who took vitamin D supplements for six months showed significant increases in regulatory T cells, as well as decreases in memory B cells and anti-DNA antibodies. Of course these effects need to be confirmed in a randomized trial, but the authors report no lupus flares within six months of followup.

RESULT: Restoration of regulatory and effector T cell balance and B cell homeostasis in systemic lupus erythematosus patients through vitamin D supplementation
Arthritis Research & Therapy | Oct 17, 2012 (FREE FULL TEXT)


This cross-sectional study of SLE patients found vitamin D insufficiency in more than one-third of patients and vitamin D deficiency in almost 10% of patients. A multivariate analysis found no association between levels of vitamin D and lupus activity score, disease duration, sun exposure, vitamin D supplementation, or use of corticosteroids.
 
RESULT: Vitamin D insufficiency in Brazilian patients with SLE: prevalence, associated factors, and relationship with activity.
Lupus (PubMed) | Oct 1, 2011 (Free abstract. Full text $32)