The world epidemic of sleep disorders is linked to vitamin D deficiency.
Level 4 - case-series / case-control
Uncontrolled trial (case series) combined with mechanistic hypothesis generation.
PubMed 22583560 · doi:10.1016/j.mehy.2012.03.031
What was done
A 2-year uncontrolled clinical trial evaluated vitamin D supplementation in 1,500 patients presenting with neurological complaints and abnormal sleep. The authors also compared brain regions involved in sleep-wake regulation with vitamin D target neurons in the diencephalon and brainstem to propose a central mechanism.
What was found
The abstract reports that most patients experienced improvement in neurologic symptoms and sleep, but only when maintaining a 25(OH) vitamin D3 blood level of 60–80 ng/ml. The abstract provides no specific numerical outcome measures, percentages of patients improved, or statistical values.
Why it matters
This paper proposes a potential mechanistic link between widespread vitamin D deficiency and sleep disorders, suggesting vitamin D optimization as a therapeutic consideration.
Limits
The trial lacked a control or placebo group, blinding, and randomization. No quantitative outcome metrics or baseline values are reported in the abstract, and the population was restricted to patients with neurological complaints.
Cited by
- context In a clinical case, a patient (Madeline) taking 30,000 IU of vitamin D daily for 4 years maintained serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in the 60s ng/mL while experiencing resolution of extremity neuropathy pain and depression.