Efficacy of Weekly versus Daily Cholecalciferol for Repleting Vitamin D
(1,25-Dihydroxy Vitamin D) Deficiency: A Systematic Review and
Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials
Abstract
Background/Rationale Weekly cholecalciferol can be an alternative to
daily supplementation to reduce pill burden in patients with complex
medication regimens and hypovitaminosis D, but evidence supporting this
switch is unclear. Objective We aimed to determine whether weekly
cholecalciferol was superior to daily cholecalciferol to replete
patients with hypovitaminosis D. Methods We conducted a systematic
review of randomized controlled trials involving participants with
baseline hypovitaminosis D (<30ng/ml) comparing weekly versus
daily cholecalciferol dosing and where serum cholecalciferol was
measured within 90 days of starting treatment. We searched MEDLINE,
CINAHL and EMBASE from inception to May 7 th, 2024. A
random-effects meta-analysis evaluated the odds ratio for repletion of
serum Vitamin D levels. Findings Eight trials involving 542 patients
were included in the analysis. Weekly D3 and daily cholecalciferol were
not significantly different in correcting hypovitaminosis D (OR=1.5,
95% CI = 0.3-6.9, p=0.6, favoring weekly dosing, I
2=85.3%). A sensitivity analysis excluding otherwise
healthy patients had similar findings (OR=0.8, 95% CI=0.3–2.1, p=0.6).
Most studies were judged to be at risk of bias, the different doses
being compared increased the heterogeneity (I
2=85.3%). Conclusions There is limited direct
evidence supporting a switch from daily to weekly cholecalciferol
dosing; however, weekly supplementation was not demonstrably worse at
repleting levels and decreases a patient’s daily pill burden.