NCT01728571

Brief Summary

The VITamin D and OmegA-3 TriaL (VITAL; NCT 01169259) is an ongoing randomized clinical trial in 25,871 U.S. men and women investigating whether taking daily dietary supplements of vitamin D3 (2000 IU) or omega-3 fatty acids (Omacor® fish oil, 1 gram) reduces the risk of developing cancer, heart disease, and stroke in people who do not have a prior history of these illnesses. This ancillary study is being conducted among participants in VITAL and will examine whether vitamin D or fish oil reduces respiratory morbidity, including COPD and asthma exacerbations, the risk of pneumonia, and airflow obstruction/decline of pulmonary function; and whether either of these interventions improves asthma control.

Trial Health

55
Monitor

Trial Health Score

Automated assessment based on enrollment pace, timeline, and geographic reach

Trial has exceeded expected completion date
Enrollment
25,871

participants targeted

Target at P75+ for not_applicable

Timeline
Completed

Started Jul 2010

Longer than P75 for not_applicable

Geographic Reach
1 country

1 active site

Status
active not recruiting

Health score is calculated from publicly available data and should be used for screening purposes only.

Trial Relationships

Click on a node to explore related trials.

Study Timeline

Key milestones and dates

Study Start

First participant enrolled

July 1, 2010

Completed
2.3 years until next milestone

First Submitted

Initial submission to the registry

October 25, 2012

Completed
26 days until next milestone

First Posted

Study publicly available on registry

November 20, 2012

Completed
6 years until next milestone

Primary Completion

Last participant's last visit for primary outcome

November 10, 2018

Completed
6.2 years until next milestone

Study Completion

Last participant's last visit for all outcomes

February 1, 2025

Completed
Last Updated

February 6, 2025

Status Verified

August 1, 2024

Enrollment Period

8.4 years

First QC Date

October 25, 2012

Last Update Submit

February 4, 2025

Conditions

Keywords

COPDasthmapulmonary functionpneumonia

Outcome Measures

Primary Outcomes (3)

  • COPD exacerbations in the past year over the course of the study

    Baseline respiratory symptom status, respiratory disease diagnoses, and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) exacerbations in the past year are measured pre-randomization and annually during follow-up.

    at baseline (before randomization), 1-year, 2-year, 3-year,4-year, 5-year

  • Airflow obstruction/change in pulmonary function

    In a sub-group of study participants pulmonary function will be measured pre-randomization and after 2 years of follow-up

    pre-randomization and after 2 years follow-up

  • Pneumonia in the past year over the course of the study

    Pneumonia in the past year (overall and in those with COPD and asthma) is measured pre-randomization and annually during follow-up.

    at baseline (before randomization), 1-year, 2-year, 3-year,4-year, 5-year

Secondary Outcomes (1)

  • Asthma exacerbations and asthma control in the past year over the course of the study

    at baseline (before randomization), 1-year, 2-year, 3-year,4-year, 5-year

Study Arms (4)

Vitamin D3 + fish oil

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 Drug: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil)

Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3Dietary Supplement: fish oil

Vitamin D3 + fish oil placebo

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 Dietary Supplement: fish oil placebo

Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3Dietary Supplement: Fish oil placebo

Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil

ACTIVE COMPARATOR

Drug: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 placebo

Dietary Supplement: fish oilDietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 placebo

Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo

PLACEBO COMPARATOR

Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 placebo Dietary Supplement: fish oil placebo

Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 placeboDietary Supplement: Fish oil placebo

Interventions

Vitamin D3DIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
Also known as: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), 2000 IU per day. Other Name: cholecalciferol
Vitamin D3 + fish oilVitamin D3 + fish oil placebo
fish oilDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
Also known as: Omacor; 1 g per day as a fish oil capsule, containing 840 milligrams of marine omega-3 fatty acids (460 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid [EPA] and 380 mg of docosahexaenoic acid [DHA]).
Vitamin D3 + fish oilVitamin D3 placebo + fish oil
Vitamin D3 placeboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oilVitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo
Fish oil placeboDIETARY_SUPPLEMENT
Vitamin D3 + fish oil placeboVitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo

Eligibility Criteria

Age50 Years+
Sexall
Healthy VolunteersYes
Age GroupsAdult (18-64), Older Adult (65+)
* This study is open to all VITAL participants (NCT 01169259). Population includes men 50 years of age or older and women 55 years of age or older in the United States * Participants who live in selected metropolitan areas of the U.S. (where we set up the infrastructure for clinic or home visits), are eligible for pulmonary function measurements.

Contact the study team to discuss eligibility requirements. They can help determine if this study is right for you.

Sponsors & Collaborators

Study Sites (1)

Brigham and Women's Hospital

Boston, Massachusetts, 02115, United States

Location

Related Publications (2)

  • Gold DR, Carey VJ, Hersh CP, Wan E, Camargo CA Jr, Lee IM, Cook NR, Nassikas N, Buring JE, Manson JE, Luttmann-Gibson H. Vitamin D Supplementation, Chronic Obstructive Lung Disease and Asthma Exacerbations, and Lung Function Decline. J Nutr. 2025 May;155(5):1417-1428. doi: 10.1016/j.tjnut.2025.02.003. Epub 2025 Feb 6.

  • Gold DR, Litonjua AA, Carey VJ, Manson JE, Buring JE, Lee IM, Gordon D, Walter J, Friedenberg G, Hankinson JL, Copeland T, Luttmann-Gibson H. Lung VITAL: Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of an ancillary study evaluating the effects of vitamin D and/or marine omega-3 fatty acid supplements on acute exacerbations of chronic respiratory disease, asthma control, pneumonia and lung function in adults. Contemp Clin Trials. 2016 Mar;47:185-95. doi: 10.1016/j.cct.2016.01.003. Epub 2016 Jan 16.

MeSH Terms

Conditions

Pulmonary Disease, Chronic ObstructiveAsthmaPneumonia

Interventions

CholecalciferolFish OilsOmacorEicosapentaenoic AcidDocosahexaenoic Acids

Condition Hierarchy (Ancestors)

Lung Diseases, ObstructiveLung DiseasesRespiratory Tract DiseasesChronic DiseaseDisease AttributesPathologic ProcessesPathological Conditions, Signs and SymptomsBronchial DiseasesRespiratory HypersensitivityHypersensitivity, ImmediateHypersensitivityImmune System DiseasesRespiratory Tract InfectionsInfections

Intervention Hierarchy (Ancestors)

CholestenesCholestanesSteroidsFused-Ring CompoundsPolycyclic CompoundsSterolsVitamin DSecosteroidsMembrane LipidsLipidsOilsFatty Acids, Omega-3Dietary Fats, UnsaturatedDietary FatsFatsEicosanoidsFatty Acids, UnsaturatedFatty Acids

Study Officials

  • Diane R Gold, MD, MPH

    Brigham and Women's Hospital

    PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR

Study Design

Study Type
interventional
Phase
not applicable
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Masking
TRIPLE
Who Masked
PARTICIPANT, INVESTIGATOR, OUTCOMES ASSESSOR
Purpose
PREVENTION
Intervention Model
FACTORIAL
Sponsor Type
OTHER
Responsible Party
PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATOR
PI Title
Professor of Medicine

Study Record Dates

First Submitted

October 25, 2012

First Posted

November 20, 2012

Study Start

July 1, 2010

Primary Completion

November 10, 2018

Study Completion

February 1, 2025

Last Updated

February 6, 2025

Record last verified: 2024-08

Locations