Efficacy of Native Vitamin D3 Therapy in Older Patients with Sarcopenia

BACKGROUND. Vitamin D influences the preservation and maintenance of skeletal muscle function. However, the effectiveness of cholecalciferol in enhancing muscle mass and improving skeletal muscle function has been the subject of varied opinions in existing studies. AIM. This study aims to evaluate the effects of vitamin D 3 supplementation on muscle strength and physical performance in community-dwelling patients diagnosed with sarcopenia. MATERIALS AND METHODS. The research included 202 subjects aged 65 years and older (median age — 75 [68; 79] years) who were examined at a medical institution in St. Petersburg. Sarcopenia was diagnosed based on the European Working Group on Sarcopenia 2 revision (EWGSOP2, 2018) criteria. Levels of 25(OH)D were measured at the screening phase and again after 3 and 12 months of follow-up among those who consented to continue their participation. The effectiveness vitamin D 3 supplementation was evaluated using various dosing regimens after 12 months. RESULTS. Vitamin D deficiency was found to be significantly more prevalent in sarcopenic patients compared to their non-sarcopenic counterparts (72.7 vs. 53.0%, p = 0.007). This deficiency was associated with decreased muscle strength (OR = 2.613; 95% CI 1.993–3.270; p = 0.00116) and impaired physical performance, as indicated by the SPPB tests (OR = 1.905; 95% CI 1.342–2.710; p = 0.00034) and the «Timed Up and Go» test (OR = 1.364; 95% CI 1.003–1.853; p = 0.047). Following 3 months of native vitamin D 3 supplementation with various dosing regimens, 87.5% to 98.5% of patients experienced an increase in 25(OH)D levels exceeding 30 ng/ml (p < 0.001), with 83.3% to 97.1% maintaining these levels at the 12-month mark. After one year of treatment, muscle strength improved in 82.8% of sarcopenic patients (p < 0.001), while 69.0% showed enhancements in physical performance (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION. Native vitamin D 3 supplementation significantly enhances muscle strength and physical performance in patients with sarcopenia.