Efficacy of vitamin D supplementation among persons living with HIV/AIDS in São Paulo city, Brazil

Hypovitaminosis D is now considered a pandemic, especially among more vulnerable populations and in HIV-infected subjects, with 80% presenting levels below 30 ng/mL. As there is no consensus on the more adequate dosage needed to correct such deficiency, the objective of this study was to evaluate 25 (OH) vitamin D supplementation in HIV-1 patients deficient of vitamin D. A total of 73 HIV-1-infected patients were included, drawn from a cohort of 435 patients; 37 patients were randomized to the active group, supplemented once a week with 50,000 UI vitamin D by mouth (group 1) and 36 to the placebo group (group 2). The study period ranged from June 2016 to September 2017. Variables involved in vitamin D metabolism and risk factors associated with hypovitaminosis were evaluated. The mean age was 45 years and 31.5 % were women. Vitamin D supplementation was effective in normalizing serum levels after six months in group 1 (mean 35 ng/mL compared to 21 ng/mL for the placebo group; p = 0.04). No patient reached blood levels considered toxic (>100 UI). Efavirenz use can negatively influence vitamin D levels and supplementation is necessary as a likely adjunct to improving CD4+ T cells, resulting in greater effectiveness of the treatment. A weekly oral dose of 50,000 IU of vitamin D was sufficient to normalize the vitamin deficiency, safely and with good adherence among persons living with HIV/AIDS in Brazil.