Effect of vitamin D supplementation on progression of knee pain and cartilage volume loss in patients with symptomatic osteoarthritis: a randomized controlled trial
McAlindon T, et al
Published in JAMA
Methodology
Two-year randomised, double-blind, placebo-controlled trial (NCT00306774) at Tufts Medical Center; oral cholecalciferol 2000 IU/day with escalation versus placebo; co-primary outcomes WOMAC pain and MRI-measured cartilage volume loss.
Key Findings
146 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (mean age 62.4) were randomised to placebo or oral cholecalciferol 2000 IU/day with dose escalation to raise serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D above 36 ng/mL, for 2 years; 85% completed. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D rose by 16.1 ng/mL in the treatment group versus 2.1 in placebo (p < 0.001). Knee pain fell in both groups (-2.31 with vitamin D versus -1.46 with placebo) with no significant difference at any time point, and cartilage volume declined identically (-4.30% versus -4.25%, p = 0.96). No secondary clinical endpoint differed.
Conclusions
Vitamin D supplementation for 2 years, when compared with placebo, did not reduce knee pain or cartilage volume loss in patients with symptomatic knee OA.
Limitations
Single-centre trial of 146 patients with modest baseline imbalances (worse pain and function in the treatment arm) and 15% attrition; participants were not selected for vitamin D deficiency.
Supplements Studied
Vitamin D supplementation for 2 years, when compared with placebo, did not reduce knee pain or cartilage volume loss in patients with symptomatic knee OA.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.