Wolfson Institute of Preventive Medicine
Preventive Neurology Unit

Author Of 1 Presentation

Epidemiology Poster Presentation

LB1155 - Vitamin D levels in the UK MS population and COVID-19 susceptibility (ID 1116)

Abstract

Background

Despite the well-described association between vitamin D and MS, little is known about current behaviours surrounding vitamin D and the corresponding vitamin D status in this group at a population level across the UK. During the COVID-19 pandemic, interest in the role that vitamin D might play in reducing susceptibility to and severity of COVID-19 has come to the foreground.

Objectives

To determine the vitamin D status of the UK MS population, understand the factors that influence it, and examine how vitamin D supplementation affects the risk of COVID-19.

Methods

A cohort study using the UK MS Register was performed. Self-reported data surrounding vitamin D and remotely collected biological samples were collected. 1768 people with MS (pwMS) completed a questionnaire regarding vitamin D-influencing behaviours; dried blood spots were collected from 388 of these pwMS and 309 matched controls, and serum 25(OH)D was measured. Subsequently, 592 participants from this MS cohort prospectively completed questionnaires evaluating symptoms suggestive of COVID-19.

Results

Marked differences were observed between supplementation behaviours with pwMS more likely to take supplements (72% vs 26% controls, p<0.001), and at higher doses (median 1600 IU/day vs 600 IU/day in controls, p<0.001). Serum levels of 25(OH)D were higher in pwMS than controls (71nmol/L, IQR 48 vs 49nmol/L, IQR 27, p<0.001). People with MS who did not supplement had lower serum 25(OH)D levels than non-supplementing controls (median 38 nmol/L, IQR 35 vs 44 nmol/L, IQR 21, p<0.001). 71% of those self-diagnosed with COVID-19 reported taking vitamin D vs 72% without COVID-19. Median dose for those with COVID-19 was reported as 1000 IU/day vs 2000 IU/day in those without (p=0.682).

Conclusions

pwMS living in the UK are more likely to have adequate levels of vitamin D than controls, and is driven by the higher rate and dose of supplementation across this population. This has implications on the design and interpretation of any future clinical trials with vitamin D in this population. In addition, we found no evidence that vitamin D supplementation had an impact on susceptibility to COVID-19 in this population.

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