Author Of 1 Presentation
P0512 - Vitamin-D-supplement use but not sun exposure associated with higher quality of life in multiple sclerosis (ID 208)
Abstract
Background
Multiple sclerosis (MS) is an autoimmune condition of the central nervous system. Sun exposure and vitamin D are associated with MS onset and progression and may affect quality of life (QoL).
Objectives
To investigate the prospective relationship of sun exposure and vitamin D supplement use with QoL and change thereof from baseline to 2.5 years follow-up in an international cohort of people with MS.
Methods
Sun exposure and vitamin D supplement use were queried at both timepoints. QoL was assessed by MSQOL-54, estimating physical and mental health QoL composite scores, and subdomains within each. Characteristics of QoL at follow-up were assessed by linear regression, adjusted for age, sex, socioeconomic status, comorbidity number, MS type, disability, fatigue, prescription antidepressant medication use, and ongoing relapse symptoms. Baseline predictors of change in QoL were additionally adjusted for baseline QoL score.
Results
Mean baseline QoL composite scores were 61.99 for physical (n=1155) and 70.29 for mental (n=1316) QoL composite score, materially unchanged at follow-up. QoL scores were higher among those taking vitamin D supplements (physical: aβ=3.44, 95% CI=1.17-5.71; emotional: aβ=3.14, 95% CI=0.76-5.51); higher supplementation frequency and dose were more strongly associated with both. Baseline vitamin D supplementation was associated with greater increase in physical (aβ=1.06, 95% CI=0.26-1.86), but not mental health (aβ=0.16,95%CI=-0.96,1.28), QoL. Sun exposure was cross-sectionally associated with higher QoL scores but not with change in QoL.
Conclusions
Vitamin D supplementation, particularly average daily doses over 5000IU/d, were associated with higher QoL and with an increase in physical QoL.