Vitamin D deficiency in Crohn's disease:

prevalence, risk factors and supplement use in an outpatient setting.

J Crohns Colitis. 2012 Mar;6(2):182-8. Epub 2011 Sep 25.
Suibhne TN, Cox G, Healy M, O'Morain C, O'Sullivan M.
Department of Clinical Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Adelaide & Meath Hospital, Dublin, Ireland.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:
Vitamin D deficiency impacts on bone health and has potential new roles in inflammation. We aimed to determine the prevalence of and risk factors for vitamin D deficiency and to explore vitamin D supplement usage in patients with Crohn's disease (CD) in an outpatient setting, compared with controls.

METHODS:
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D 25(OH)D concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay in 151 participants, comprising 81 CD patients and 70 age-, sex- and socio-economic status-matched healthy controls. Levels of 25(OH)D <50 nmol/L were classed as deficient. Data on vitamin supplement usage were recorded for all participants at interview.

RESULTS:
Vitamin D deficiency was common in patients with CD (63%) and significantly higher in winter than summer (68% v 50%; p<0.001, ?(2)).
Notably, the deficiency rate remained high even in summer (50%). On regression analysis, 25(OH)D levels were inversely associated with winter season. Disease-specific factors for lower serum 25(OH)D levels were longer disease duration and smoking. Overall, 43% of patients reported using a vitamin D-containing supplement, primarily at low dosages (200-400 IU/d); however, this level of supplement did not prevent deficiency. For the majority of CD patients, 25(OH)D remained below optimal levels proposed to confer bone and immune health benefits.

CONCLUSIONS:
Vitamin D deficiency was common in patients with CD and associated with longstanding disease, smoking and winter. While over 40% of patients used a vitamin D-containing supplement, the dosages were inadequate to prevent deficiency. Appropriate vitamin D screening and supplementation should be considered in the context of health promotion of outpatients with CD.

Copyright © 2011 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

PMID: 22325172
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No surprise since Croh’s disease reduces the vitamin D absorbed from the gut with conventional supplements

Other sources of vitamin D are much better for those with gut problems

• Sun
• UV lamp
• Sublinqual vitamin D – or perhaps drops
• Injections

Note: vitamin K2 may be important as well

See also Vitamin D Life

• All items in category Gut and Vitamin D 168 items
• Crohn’s disease deficient in vitamin K – IBD deficient in vitamins K and D – April 2011
• IBD and Crohn but not Colitis associated with low vitamin D – May 2011
• Extra Vitamin D needed for Crohns
• Vitamin D Fights Crohn's Disease Mercola Feb 2010 file
• Crohn’s relapse reduced from 29% to 13% by taking 1200 IU of D3 – May 2010
• Vitamin D might reduce military costs for UC and CD – June 2011
• Gut doctors becoming aware of importance of vitamin D – May 2012
• About 40 percent more likely to get Crohn’s Disease or UC if have low vitamin D – March 2012
• Overview Deficiency of vitamin D shows the feedback problems of gut and vitamin D