Date of Award

2016

Degree Type

Selective Evidence-Based Medicine Review

Degree Name

Master of Science in Health Sciences - Physician Assistant

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

Department Chair

John Cavenagh, MBA, PhD, PA-C

Abstract

OBJECTIVE: The objective of this selective EBM review is to determine whether or not the addition of vitamin D in treatment for asthma is effective in children less than 18 years old.

STUDY DESIGN: Review of three English language, randomized, controlled, double blind studies after 1999.

DATA SOURCES: Randomized, controlled double blind studies comparing the addition of vitamin D with an inhaled corticosteroid in treatment of asthma with a control group of inhaled corticosteroid alone. All articles were found in PubMed.

OUTCOMES MEASURED: Each study assessed the number of asthma exacerbations or symptoms in the control group and in the group with the addition of vitamin D using the following tools: Asthma Therapy Assessment Questionnaire (ATAQ) for children, asthma control test scores, and patient diaries.

RESULTS: In the study by Lewis et al., it was indicated that there was no statistically significant data, however, there was positive correlation, which suggests an effect on vitamin D supplementation and the reduction of asthma symptoms. The study by Majak et al. (2011) also showed no statistically significant data, but still noted that the group receiving both an inhaled corticosteroid and vitamin D had fewer asthma exacerbations. In the study by Majak et al. (2009), the addition of vitamin D showed a minimal, but beneficial effect on the number of asthma exacerbations, yet further trials are strongly recommended.

CONCLUSIONS: All three studies support the addition of vitamin D to decrease the number of asthma exacerbations in children less than 18 years old. However, each study noted some variability without statistically significant data and indicated that further trials and research would be necessary to confirm their findings.

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