P-064 Impact of High Dose Vitamin D3 Supplementation in Treatment of Crohn's Disease in Remission: A Randomized Double-Blind Controlled Study

Vitamin D deficiency has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Crohn's disease (CD) and vitamin D supplementation may have a role in the management of CD. The aim of this study was to assess the tolerability and efficacy of high dose vitamin D3 in patients with CD. This was a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled trial of high dose vitamin D3 at 10,000 IU daily (n = 18) compared to low dose at 1000 IU daily (n = 16) in patients with CD in remission. The primary outcome was improvement in serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels. High dose vitamin D3 at 10,000 IU daily significantly improved 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels from a mean of 73.5 nmol/L (standard deviation [SD] 11.7 nmol/L) to 160.8 nmol/L (SD 43.2 nmol/L) (P = 0.02). In per-protocol analysis, a lower rate of clinical relapse of Crohn's disease was observed in patients receiving a high dose (0/12 or 0%) compared to those receiving a low dose of 1000 IU daily (3/8 or 37.5%) (P = 0.049). Significant improvements in depression and a good safety profile were observed in both groups treated with vitamin D3. Oral supplementation with high dose vitamin D3 at 10,000 IU daily significantly improved serum 25-hydroxy-vitamin D levels and led to lower rates of clinical relapse. Larger studies using high dose vitamin D3 for treatment of inflammatory bowel diseases are warranted.