How can we design a proper trial for vitamin D treatment of diseases? Facts and numbers

Abstract

Vitamin D deficiency is a globally common situation and closely related with many chronic diseases. It is a hot topic to examine if vitamin D supplementation is effective for the treatment of diseases, and there have been dozens of clinical trials published in recent years. However, most studies have not proved the extra-skeletal benefits of vitamin D supplementation on these diseases. Some inherent shortcomings of these trials, such as inclusion with vitamin D-sufficient and obese participants, low response rate from participants and the insensitive changes in chosen outcomes over a shorter period, may be main reasons why most studies have yet to demonstrate effects of vitamin D supplementation. In this editorial, we aim to discuss the perspectives on how can we design a proper trial for vitamin D treatment of diseases based on the evidence-based practice framework PICOS (participants, intervention, control, outcomes and study design) in the future. First, right participants should be chosen, which is crucial for the success of vitamin D clinical trials. Participants with vitamin D sufficiency (e.g., baseline 25(OH)D of >50 nmol/L), obesity (e.g., body mass index > 30 kg/m2) and/or high vitamin D response index could be excluded from the trials. Second, intervention with vitamin D in right forms or dosages should be used. Vitamin D3 supplementation with appropriate dosages that keep 25(OH)D levels between 75 and 100 nmol/L is recommended. Third, ‘contamination’ in the control groups needs to pay attention. To diminish this, it is ideal to include participants less interfered by sun exposure (such as living in places at a high latitude) or with greater compliance (less interference by supplemental vitamin D-containing nutrients). Fourth, the outcome measures should be sensitive to change to avoid type II error. For outcomes such as bone density, radiographic osteoarthritis and cardiovascular diseases, follow-up period of 3–5 years may be required to observe the changes. Last, precision clinical trials may be the only way to prove the benefits of vitamin D supplementation.