The results of the VITADEPOC study, an observational study in 116 patients with high-risk Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD), recently published in the Journal of Clinical Medicine, reveal that the determination of vitamin D levels in patients with COPD in Spain is uncommon and when they are measured, it is observed that almost a third of the patients suffer from a serious deficiency of this vitamin.
According to the findings of this research, carried out by the Hospital Clínico San Carlos de Madrid together with the Neumomadrid Foundation and with the collaboration of Grupo Italfarmaco, patients with low levels of vitamin D had a greater number of exacerbations and had treated with corticosteroids and oxygen therapy. Consequently, they had a lower capacity for physical activity and a negative impact on their quality of life.
Current clinical practice guidelines recommend determining vitamin D levels in groups at high risk of deficiency such as the elderly, people with low sun exposure or people treated with corticosteroids, which are common in COPD patients. However, according to the findings of this research, current screening recommendations are not met in this risk group.
Cholecalciferol to supply vitamin D deficiency
Supplementation with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) has been shown in previous studies to improve the rate of exacerbations, lung capacity and quality of life in patients with vitamin D deficiency and COPD. In this regard, Dr. Myriam Calle, head of the Pneumology service at the Hospital Clínico San Carlos and coordinator of the VITADEPOC study, stressed that “it is necessary to establish awareness programs among health professionals that allow for increased detection and treatment of vitamin D deficiency in this patient profile. Bearing in mind that COPD is a pathology responsible for high mortality and consumption of healthcare resources, it is important to assess the need for the administration of cholecalciferol in this patient profile, as a simple, safe and low-cost action with numerous benefits over the Health”.
Supplementing patients with vitamin D deficiency and COPD with vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) improves their rate of exacerbations, their lung capacity and their quality of life
The General Director of Italfarmaco in Spain, Álvaro Acebrón, has commented that “vitamin D deficiency generates a health problem that must be taken into account, not only because of the classic implications in bone mineral metabolism, but also because of its immunomodulatory role and its ability to promote the innate and adaptive immune response to infections”.
He also underlined that “our company supports the carrying out of studies that generate new knowledge to help improve the health of the population, especially in risk groups, therefore, we are very happy to have collaborated with the start-up of this research ”.
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