Vitamin D Levels in Multiple Sclerosis and Subclinical Disease Activity

Low vitamin D levels are a risk factor for the development of multiple sclerosis (MS). Intervention trials are under way to determine whether vitamin D supplementation can reduce the severity for those with established MS. Now, researchers report results of an analysis from the BEYOND study, a large clinical trial comparing standard-dose interferon β-1b to double-dose interferon β-1b or glatiramer acetate. Vitamin D samples were collected from 1796 trial participants at baseline, 6 months, and 12 months. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) was done at baseline and annually.

MRI T2 lesion volume and gadolinium-enhancing lesion numbers were each inversely correlated with baseline and 12-month, season-adjusted 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels (25[OH]D).…