Meer onderzoek nodig naar MS en vitamine D

Research Question:
Swallowing vitamin D lowers the chances of getting multiple sclerosis?

Study Design:
The overview article contained 5 Rcts. The studies were small (23 to 68 patients). There was heterogeneity between the dosages, the form of vitamin D (4 Rcts with vitamin D3 and 1 with vitamin D2) and clinical outcome measures. Because of the poor study design could there is no meta-analysis carried out. A meta-analysis can show the size of the effect.

Results and conclusions:
Of the 5 Rcts found 4 no effect between vitamin D and each outcome of multiple sclerosis. 1 Rcts found a significant effect, namely a reduction in the number of T1 elevated lesions on the MRI scan of the brain. 3 Rcts found undesirable effect, especially intestinal and stomach discomfort in swallowing of vitamin D.

The researchers concluded that the evidence for vitamin D as a treatment for MS was unclear. Larger studies (Rcts with a follow-up duration of longer than 1 year) are necessary to the effect of vitamin D on the clinical outcomes in patients with MS to investigate.

Original title:
A Systematic Review of Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Trials Examining the Clinical Efficacy of Vitamin D in Multiple Sclerosis by Pozuelo-Moyanoa B, Benito-Leóna J [...], Hernández-Gallegoa J.

Link:
http://content.karger.com/ProdukteDB/produkte.asp?Doi=345122

Additional information about El Mondo:
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an inflammatory disease. In MS causes a disordered immune system inflammation in the brain and spinal cord. In doing so creates lasting damage to the myelin and axons, which account for a large part of the MS-complaints caused.

Multiple sclerosis is common among young adults, in women more than in men. The frequency in which the disease occurs, varies by country and population group. MS does not or hardly in countries closer to the equator.

The exact cause of MS is unknown, but it is widely believed that MS is caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.