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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
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  • Émilie Bortolussi-Courval,
  • Connor Prosty,
  • Jimin J. Lee,
  • Lisa McCarthy,
  • Emily McDonald ,
  • Todd C. Lee
Émilie Bortolussi-Courval
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Connor Prosty
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Jimin J. Lee
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Lisa McCarthy
University of Toronto Leslie Dan Faculty of Pharmacy
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Emily McDonald
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences
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Todd C. Lee
McGill University Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences

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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.
07 May 2024Submitted to Basic & Clinical Pharmacology & Toxicology
16 Aug 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
17 Aug 2024Editorial Decision: Revise Minor
03 Sep 20241st Revision Received
04 Sep 2024Submission Checks Completed
04 Sep 2024Assigned to Editor
04 Sep 2024Review(s) Completed, Editorial Evaluation Pending
04 Sep 2024Editorial Decision: Accept