Vitamin D for the treatment of painful diabetic neuropathy

Objective: To assess the effect of high-dose vitamin D in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy. Methods: A single intramuscular dose of 600 000 IU vitamin D was administered, and the effects on metabolic parameters and neuropathic pain assessed over 20 weeks. Results: 143 participants with predominantly type 2 diabetes, aged 52.31 +/- 11.48 years, with a Douleur Neuropathique 4 (DN4) score (3.0 +/- 1.8), total McGill pain score (21.2 +/- 14.9), and Short Form McGill Pain Questionnaire (SFMPQ) score (2.1 +/- 0.9), were enrolled. The baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH) D) level was 31.7 +/- 23.3 ng/mL and 58 (40.5%) patients showed evidence of vitamin D deficiency (25(OH) D<20 ng/mL). Intramuscular administration of vitamin D resulted in a significant increase in 25(OH) D (46.2 +/- 10.2 ng/mL, p<0.0001) and a reduction in positive symptoms on the DN4 (p<0.0001), total pain score (p<0.0001), and SFMPQ (p<0.0001). Conclusions: Treatment with a single intramuscular dose of 600 000 IU of vitamin D in patients with painful diabetic neuropathy is associated with a significant decrease in the symptoms of painful diabetic neuropathy.