Vitamin D and B12 supplementation in patients with COPD: a cohort study

<bold>Background:</bold> Malnutrition is prevalent in COPD. <bold>Objective:</bold> To assess vitamin D and B12 levels in patients with COPD and evaluate clinical outcomes after combined supplementation. <bold>Methods:</bold> We analysed a prospective cohort of patients with stable COPD at the Outpatient Department of a tertiary care hospital in Greece. Patients deficient in either vitamin D or B12 received supplementation (cholicalciferol 2500 IU / methylcobalamine 1000μg) for 3 months. <bold>Results:</bold> Among 77 patients with COPD (56 men, 21 women; mean age 66.56±9.1 years; mean FEV1 59.5±14.9 %predicted), 45.5% presented with normal levels (group A), 27.3% were deficient in vitamin D (group B), 15.6% in vitamin B12 (group C) and 11.7% in both vitamins (group D). Demographic data and baseline lung function parameters were similar between groups, but health-related quality of life was reported worse in group D (median CAT score 17, IQR: 11-21). All patients received supplementation; group A received placebo instead. Follow-up at 6 months revealed no difference in exacerbation rate or lung function. There was significant improvement in health-related quality of life, with reduction in CAT score from baseline values in groups B (13.2±3.4 from 15±3.9, p=0.002) and D (13.9±3 from 17±4.7, p=0.019). <bold>Conclusion:</bold> Deficiency in vitamin D and B12 is highly prevalent in stable COPD patients. Vitamin supplementation appears to improve health-related quality of life within 6 months. Our findings suggest that patients with COPD may benefit from baseline measurement of vitamin levels and appropriate supplementation.