Effects of vitamin D3 supplementation on the recovery of hospitalized burn patients: a randomized double-blind controlled trial.

Abstract

Background: Burn patients, due to their damaged skin, may not be able to synthesize vitamin D. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the effects of vitamin D supplementation on the recovery of hospitalized burn patients.

Methods: Fifty-four patients participated in a randomized controlled trial. Eighteen patients were randomly assigned to group C (control, received gelatin soft gel as placebo), 18 patients to group D₁ (received 1000 IU/day vitamin D), and 18 patients to group D₂ (received 3000 IU/day vitamin D). After supplementation, wound biopsy and blood samples were obtained from the patients. Weight, height, 25(OH)D level, wound healing, scar formation, quality of pain, and blood parameters were evaluated.

Results: There were no significant differences in the serum vitamin D levels between the groups at admission (P = 0.52), and 81.5% of the participants were deficient, with a noteworthy increase during study in supplemented groups (P < 0.001). The Bates-Jensen Wound Assessment Tool demonstrated significant differences in wound healing between the C group and the D₁ and D₂ groups (P = 0.003), and the supplemented groups experienced greater improvement. The D₂ group showed significant differences in thickness and total score on the Vancouver scar scale up to three months after discharge (P = 0.03). Moreover, there was a notable decrease in insulin requirements and the number of injected insulin units in the supplemented groups compared with those in group C (P = 0.006 and P = 0.01, respectively). In addition, shorter hospitalization was observed in group D₂ (P = 0.04).

Conclusion: Supplementation with vitamin D at doses of 1000 and 3000 IU/day improved wound healing and decreased scar thickness as well as exogenous insulin requirements. Overall, at 3000 IU/day, better results were achieved than at 1000 IU/day.

Trial registration: This article is registered in 24/04/2020 on the Iranian Randomized Clinical Trials Registry (trial registration number (IRCT, code: IRCT20200420047141N1.