PHOTOBIOLOGY

Comparison of narrowband ultraviolet B exposure and oral vitamin D substitution on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration

  1. M.J. Ala-Houhala1,2,
  2. K. Vähävihu1,2,
  3. T. Hasan1,
  4. H. Kautiainen3,4,
  5. L. Ylianttila5,
  6. H.T. Viljakainen6,7,
  7. E. Snellman8,
  8. T. Reunala1,2

Article first published online: 28 JUN 2012

DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10990.x

Issue

British Journal of Dermatology

British Journal of Dermatology

Volume 167, Issue 1, pages 160–164, July 2012

Additional Information

How to Cite

Ala-Houhala, M.J., Vähävihu, K., Hasan, T., Kautiainen, H., Ylianttila, L., Viljakainen, H.T., Snellman, E. and Reunala, T. (2012), Comparison of narrowband ultraviolet B exposure and oral vitamin D substitution on serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration. British Journal of Dermatology, 167: 160–164. doi: 10.1111/j.1365-2133.2012.10990.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Dermatology, Tampere University Hospital, PO Box 2000, FIN-33521, Tampere, Finland

  2. 2

    Medical School, University of Tampere, Tampere, Finland

  3. 3

    Unit of Family Practice, Central Finland Central Hospital, Jyväskylä, Finland

  4. 4

    Unit of Primary Health Care, Kuopio University Hospital, Kuopio, Finland

  5. 5

    Radiation and Nuclear Safety Authority, Non Ionizing Radiation Laboratory, Helsinki, Finland

  6. 6

    Children’s Hospital, Helsinki University Central Hospital and University of Helsinki, Helsinki, Finland

  7. 7

    Musculoskeletal Research Unit, School of Clinical Sciences, University of Bristol, Bristol, U.K.

  8. 8

    Department of Dermatology, Päijät-Häme Central Hospital, Lahti, Finland

*Meri J. Ala-Houhala. E-mail: meri.ala-houhala@pshp.fi

  1. Funding sources This study was supported by National Graduate School of Clinical Investigation (M.A.-H.), Finnish Dermatological Society (M.A.-H.) and Competitive Research Funding of the Tampere University Hospital (Grants 9J103 and 9K104).

  2. Conflicts of interest None declared.

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 28 JUN 2012
  2. Article first published online: 28 JUN 2012
  3. Accepted manuscript online: 18 APR 2012 01:28PM EST
  4. Accepted for publication 3 April 2012

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Summary Background  A short course of narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) exposures increases the serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] concentration in patients with psoriasis and healthy subjects.

Objectives  To compare the effects of NB-UVB and oral vitamin D substitution in healthy subjects in winter.

Methods  Healthy adult hospital employees and medical students were screened for serum 25(OH)D concentration. Those with 25(OH)D below 75 nmol L−1 were randomly given either 12 NB-UVB exposures or 20 μg of oral cholecalciferol daily for 4 weeks. The NB-UVB exposures were given with a Waldmann UV 7001 cabin and the mean cumulative dose was 48·4 standard erythema doses. Serum 25(OH)D was measured before and after the treatments by radioimmunoassay.

Results  The baseline serum 25(OH)D concentrations were 52·9 ± 10·4 (mean ± SD) in the 33 NB-UVB-treated and 53·5 ± 12·7 nmol L−1 in the 30 oral cholecalciferol-treated subjects. The mean increase in serum 25(OH)D was 41·0 nmol L−1 [95% confidence interval (CI) 34·8–47·2; P < 0·001] in the NB-UVB group and 20·2 nmol L−1 (95% CI 14·6–26·0; P < 0·001) in the cholecalciferol group. The difference between the two treatments was significant at 2 weeks (P = 0·033) and at 4 weeks (P < 0·001). One month after the treatments the 25(OH)D concentrations had increased further.

Conclusions  The present study shows that 12 NB-UVB exposures given during 4 weeks increase serum 25(OH)D concentration significantly more than 20 μg of oral cholecalciferol daily. A short NB-UVB course is an effective way to improve vitamin D balance in winter and the response is still evident 2 months after the course.

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