Low Vitamin D Level Predicts Ulcerative Colitis Relapse

In Crohn disease, low vitamin D level is associated with an increased risk for relapse, and supplementation of vitamin D reduces risk.

To examine the association between vitamin D level and relapse risk in ulcerative colitis, researchers conducted a physician-blinded, prospective study involving 70 patients in clinical remission with ulcerative colitis. Serum levels of vitamin D were measured at the time of a baseline colonoscopy, and patients were followed for 12 months.

Patients who relapsed had a significantly lower mean vitamin D level compared with those who did not relapse (29.5 vs. 50.3 ng/mL).