Abstract

THERAPEUTIC STUDY OF CORRECTION OF LOW VITAMIN D ON FATIGUE

Dr. Sohaib Mehroze Iqbal*, Dr. Muhammad Soban Bin Salman Meer and Dr. Usama Sarfraz

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Abstract

Background: Fatigue is a common presenting complaint of patients in the primary care office. Low levels of vitamin D have been associated with fatigue in cancer patients. Normalization of vitamin D level improves their fatigue. Whether low vitamin D plays a role in fatigue in medically stable patients is not known. Aims: This prospective non-randomized therapeutic study observed the prevalence of low vitamin D in fatigue and the effect of normalization of vitamin D on fatigue. Material and Methods: One hundred and seventy-four adult patients, who presented in our primary care office with fatigue and stable chronic medical conditions, completed fatigue assessment questionnaires. Patients with low vitamin D levels received ergocalciferol therapy for 5 weeks. Scores of pre- and post-treatment fatigue assessment questionnaires were compared. Results: Prevalence of low vitamin D was 77.2% in patients who presented with fatigue. After normalization of vitamin D levels fatigue symptom scores improved significantly (P < 0.001) in all five subscale categories of fatigue assessment questionnaires. Conclusion: The prevalence of low vitamin D is high in patients who present with fatigue and stable chronic medical conditions, if any. Normalization of vitamin D levels with ergocalciferol therapy significantly improves the severity of their fatigue symptoms.

Keywords: Ergocalciferol therapy, Fatigue in primary care, Hypovitaminosis D, Low vitamin D.