Effect of Vitamin D Supplements and Pulmonary Tuberculosis Prognosis in Known Diabetic Patients

Aim: To investigate role of vitamin D supplementation in clinical outcomes of sputum positive pulmonary tuberculosis patients having diabetes mellitus. Methods: This randomized, placebo-controlled trial was conducted in outpatient department of Chest Medicine in Nishtar Hospital Multan, from June 2017 to November 2017. Total 52 patients who were sputum positive for pulmonary tuberculosis were selected for study by non-probability consecutive sampling. All patients were divided into two groups by lottery methods into group A and group B. both groups receive standard treatment of anti-tuberculosis drugs. Group A (n=26) receive high dose of oral vitamin D3 (2.5mg at 0, 2, 4 and 6 weeks). Group B (n=26) receive placebo. Primary outcome of study was to check sputum conversion after 8weeks of treatment. Written permission of study was signed by each individual participated in study. Data was analyzed by using SPSS volume 23. Results: Overall, 52 patients were included, in this study; divided into two equal groups i.e., 26(50%) in each, group A (Vitamin D) and group B (Placebo) respectively. Patients with raised ESR were observed as 24(92.3%) and 21(80.8%) for group A and B respectively. Patients with raised CRP were noted as 25(96.2%) and 20(76.9%) for the group A and B respectively. Anemia was observed in 16(61.5%) and 14(53.8%) patients for group A and B respectively. Sputum smear conversation after 2 months, for the group A and B, noted as 23(88.5%) and 21(80.8%) respectively. The differences were statistically insignificant except for raised CRP which was significant (P=0.042). Conclusion: Study concluded that there was no role of vitamin D supplementation in improving sputum conversion time. Further research is required in this regard. Also further investigation should be done to know the role of vitamin Din prevention and reactivation of pulmonary tuberculosis.