Oral Colecalciferol Treatment in Spinal Cord Lesion

The Effects of Single High-dose or Daily Low Dosage Oral Colecalciferol Treatment on Muscle Strength, Muscle Thickness and Independence in Spinal Cord Lesion

Low vitamin D is frequently seen in patients with spinal cord injury (SCI) in acute and chronic periods. Among its causes are insufficient sun exposure, limited oral intake, obesity, the effect of the drugs used on the absorption of vitamin D, kidney and liver diseases. If we consider patients with spinal cord injuries in Turkey, it is difficult to get involved in the society, low exposure to the sun, lack of necessary health controls and immobility brings extra risk factors for the low vitamin D compared to the general population. Despite Turkey Endocrinology and Metabolism Endocrine Society and the International Endocrine Association clinical practice guidelines do not provide specific recommendations about vitamin D, for individuals with spinal cord injuries. Individuals with SCI are at high risk for low vitamin D. Vitamin D levels need to be checked and replaced. Vitamin D doses, application methods and dose intervals used in Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation clinics are different. The aim of our study is to perform the necessary vitamin D replacement for individuals with SCI who have vitamin D deficiency in different dose intervals and to compare the effects of muscle strength, muscle thickness and functional independence with the control group.

Paraplegic patients who admitt to our Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation Clinic, will be included in the rehabilitation program. Sixty spinal cord injured patients with serum 25 (OH) D3 levels less than 20 ng / ml will be included in the study. One of the treatment groups will receive 6,000 IU of vitamin D daily, and the other group 50,000 IU of vitamin D per week for eight weeks. Patients with high calcium (Ca) values in blood tests, patients with kidney stones and urinary stones in urinary ultrasonography (USG) to be performed routinely, as well as patients who refuse to use vitamin D supplements will include in the control group. Spinal cord independence measure (SCIM version 3) will be filled in at the beginning and at the end of 8 weeks to all participants. Jamar Dynamometer will be measured for upper extremity muscle strength, and biceps brachii and triceps muscle thicknesses will be measured by ultrasonography.

Sixty patients with spinal cord injury with serum 25 (OH) D3 levels less than 20 ng / ml will be included in the study. One of the treatment groups will receive 6,000 IU of vitamin D daily, and the other group 50000 IU of vitamin D per week for 8 weeks. 20 Patients who don't receive vitamin D will be included in the control group.

Twenty patients with spinal cord injury with serum 25 (OH) D3 level less than 20 ng / ml will receive 50,000 IU of vitamin D weekly for 8 weeks.

Twenty patients with spinal cord injury with serum 25 (OH) D3 level less than 20 ng / ml will receive 6,000 IU of vitamin D daily for 8 weeks.

20 patients with high calcium (Ca) values in blood tests, patients with kidney and urinary stones, as well as patients who refuse to use vitamin D supplements will be included in the control group

one group will take weekly oral 50000 IU Vitamin D3, other group will take daily oral 6000 IU Vitamin D3.

The SCIM has been developed to address three specific areas of function in patients with spinal cord injuries (SCI). It looks at self-care (feeding, grooming, bathing, and dressing), respiration and sphincter management, and a patient's mobility abilities (bed and transfers and indoors/outdoors).

Inclusion Criteria: 18-60 years old Thoracic level chronic spinal cord injury A, B, C, D complete / incomplete patients according to ASIA classification 25 (OH) D3 level in serum is <20 ng / ml Complete muscle strength in upper extremity Exclusion Criteria: Individuals with chronic liver, kidney, respiratory and parathyroid disease Chronic constipation Patients who have recently used vitamin D Use of drugs that will affect vitamin D and Ca level (Thiazide group diuretics, statins) Acute inflammation (may show false low in vitamin D levels)

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