Vitamin D deficiency and COPD exacerbations: Effect of vitamin D supplementation

Background: We recently found that in COPD patients severe vitamin D (25-OHD) deficiency is associated with disease exacerbations (AECOPD) and hospitalizations (HCOPD). We evaluated if vitamin D supplementation may decrease the number of AECOPD and HCOPD in 45 COPD patients with 25-OHD deficiency (25-OHD Methods: The patients were 16 men and 28 women, age range 50-84 years, 30 active smokers. The number of AECOPD and HCOPD in the year preceding 25-OHD assessment were compared to those recorded the following year, during vitamin supplementation (1000 IU daily). Results: GOLD class distribution was : 1 = 7 pt, 2 = 24, 3 = 7, 4 = 6. In baseline, 20 pts had severe 25-OHD deficiency ( Conclusion: Our findings suggest that in COPD patients, 25-OHD deficiency is frequent and favors exacerbations and hospitalization for the disease. This hypothesis is supported by the significant decrease in AECOPD and HCOPD observed after vitamin D replenishment.