A New Treatment for Multiple Sclerosis Fatigue

In an industry-supported, randomized, placebo-controlled, double-blind, single-center trial, investigators assessed the effect of the vitamin D analog alfacalcidol (1 mcg/day) in 158 patients with moderate to severe multiple sclerosis (MS)-related fatigue. Alfacalcidol is synthesized to 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D in the liver and is thought to have beneficial effects on autoimmune conditions independent of its role in calcium metabolism.

Baseline Fatigue Impact Scale (FIS) scores were similar between treatment groups. From baseline to 6 months, the mean relative reduction in FIS scores was significantly greater in the treatment group than in the placebo group (–42% vs. –27%). FIS scores decreased by at least one standard deviation in about 60% …