COPDlungVITALNCT01728571
LungVITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial (lungVITAL)
A study testing Vitamin D3 and fish oil in people with COPD and Asthma, run by Brigham and Women's Hospital at 1 site in United States.
Trial 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… Read more about this study
- Who is it for?
- Ages 50 years and olderHealthy volunteers can take part
- Conditions the study is for
- COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Function
- What is being tested?
- Vitamin D3 and fish oil
- Type of treatment
- Pill or oral medicine
- Could I receive a placebo?
- Yes, some participants may receive a placebo
- How many people
- 25,871 participants
- Where
- 1 siteUnited States
- Study dates
- Jul 2010to Nov 2027
- Phase
- Interventional
- Are there results?
- Yes, posted in the registrySummary in the doctors' view
Key requirements
Who can take part, as listed by the sponsor. Only the study team can confirm whether you are eligible, so take this list to your doctor.
- Ages 50 years and older
- All sexes
- Healthy volunteers accepted
- Adult, Older adult
- 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.
Trial locations and contacts
1 site in 1 country.
United States1 site
Brigham and Women's Hospital
Boston, Massachusetts, 02115
About this study
Official title: LungVITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial
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.
Read the detailed description
Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and pneumonia are leading causes of death in United States and worldwide. COPD, which is also a significant source of disability, is increasing in prevalence. Approximately 14 million adults have asthma, which leads to approximately 12 million missed work days per year in the United States. In adults, COPD and asthma often coexist. Treatment options for COPD are limited, and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high. COPD lung disease (COPD, asthma, airflow obstruction), and most COPD additional co-morbidities responsible for COPD progression (e.g., respiratory infections/pneumonia, muscle weakness, cardiac failure) may benefit from vitamin D supplementation therapy, but this requires rigorous testing. Marine omega-3 fatty acids work through different pathways from vitamin D to affect inflammation. Observational studies and clinical trials suggest that consumption of fish and/or fish oil may protect against COPD, asthma or pneumonia, but the data are not consistent. Thus, there is a compelling need for a clinical trial to evaluate the potential benefits or risks of vitamin D and fish oil supplementation on COPD and asthma exacerbations, airflow obstruction and decline of lung function, and risk of pneumonia.
The primary outcomes of interest in Lung VITAL are COPD exacerbations; airflow obstruction and decline of pulmonary function; and pneumonia. Asthma exacerbations and asthma control are secondary outcomes. A tertiary goal is to assess whether the effects of the interventions differ by baseline dietary intake or baseline blood levels of the nutrients.
Depending on the primary outcome, Lung VITAL will be conducted among all participants in VITAL (NCT 01169259), or in subsets of the VITAL population who were followed by detailed respiratory questionnaire and/or lung function testing.
- Conditions
- COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Function, Pneumonia
- Being tested
- Vitamin D3, fish oil, Vitamin D3 placebo, Fish oil placebo
- Keywords
- COPD, asthma, pulmonary function, pneumonia
- Medical subject headings
- Pulmonary Disease, Chronic Obstructive, Asthma, Pneumonia
What participants receive
What participants receive. In a randomised study each person is assigned to one group by chance.
Vitamin D3Dietary supplement
Also called Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), 2000 IU per day. Other Name: cholecalciferol
fish oilDietary supplement
Also called 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 placeboDietary supplement
Fish oil placeboDietary supplement
| Study group | Role | What they receive |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 + fish oil | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 Drug: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Receives: Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3; Dietary Supplement: fish oil |
| Vitamin D3 + fish oil placebo | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 Dietary Supplement: fish oil placebo Receives: Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3; Dietary Supplement: Fish oil placebo |
| Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil | Active comparator | Drug: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 placebo Receives: Dietary Supplement: fish oil; Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 placebo |
| Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 placebo Dietary Supplement: fish oil placebo Receives: Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 placebo; Dietary Supplement: Fish oil placebo |
What is being measured
The primary outcome is the main question the study is designed to answer.
COPD Exacerbations Expressed as Cumulative Rate/Year Over 5 Years
The primary questionnaire-based outcome was COPD respiratory exacerbations, defined for those with COPD as the number of episodes in the past 12 months of a flare-up of chest trouble treated with additional antibiotic or steroid medication at home, or resulting in hospitalization
Measured: 5 years
Change Between Pre-randomization and 2-year Follow-up in Level of Measures of Pulmonary Function Representing Air Flow/Airflow Obstruction (Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1))
In a sub-group of study participants change in pulmonary function (FEV1) will be measured between pre-randomization and 2 years of follow-up
Measured: pre-randomization and after 2 years follow-up
Change Between Pre-randomization and 2-year Follow-up in Level of Measures of Pulmonary Function Representing Air Flow/Airflow Obstruction (Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1)/ Forced Vital Capacity (FVC))
In a sub-group of study participants change in pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC) will be measured between pre-randomization and 2 years of follow-up
Measured: 2 years
Pneumonia
The rate of pneumonia incidence per year
Measured: 5 years
Secondary outcomes (1)
Asthma Exacerbations Expressed as Cumulative Rate/Year Over 5 Years
The secondary questionnaire-based outcome was asthma respiratory exacerbations, defined for those with asthma (by questionnaire report) as the number of episodes in the past 12 months of a flare-up of chest trouble treated with additional antibiotic or steroid medication at home, or resulting in hospitalization
Measured: 5 years
Timeline
From the start of the study to its completion; the mark is today. Estimated dates are the sponsor’s plan.
- First posted20 Nov 2012 (estimated)
- Study startJul 2010
- Primary completion11 Oct 2018
- Study completionNov 2027 (estimated)
Resources
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govThe registry entry this page is built from, with its full change history.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, outcome measures and adverse events reported by the sponsor.
- Publications (2)Papers the sponsor has linked to this study.
- Other trials for COPDStudies of the same condition, open and under way.
- More trials run by Brigham and Women's HospitalThe sponsor's other registered studies.
- What the trial phases meanHow a treatment moves from first tests in people to approval.
More details
For doctors and researchers: how the study is designed, who runs it, and its registry IDs.
Study design
- Study type
- Interventional
- Phase
- Phase N/A
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Triple blind
- Who is masked
- Participant, Investigator, Outcomes assessor
- Enrolment
- 25,871 participants (actual)
Sponsor and investigators
- Lead sponsor
- Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Sponsor type
- University, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Responsible party
- Principal investigator, Diane Gold, Brigham and Women's Hospital
- Investigators
- Diane R Gold, MD, MPH, Principal investigator, Brigham and Women's Hospital
IDs, dates and publications
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01728571
- Sponsor's protocol ID
- 2010-P-000622
- Other IDs
- R01HL101932, R01AT011729, U01CA138962, R01CA138962
- Acronym
- lungVITAL
- Status last verified
- Jul 2026
- First submitted
- 25 Oct 2012
- Last updated
- 7 Aug 2026
- Results posted
- Yes, on ClinicalTrials.gov
- Data monitoring committee
- Yes
Publications
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.
PubMed 39922497Gold 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.
PubMed 26784651
Study at a glance
From the registry record, last updated by the sponsor on 7 Aug 2026. Recruitment status is as the sponsor reported it: confirm with the study team.
- Official title
- LungVITamin D and OmegA-3 Trial
- ClinicalTrials.gov ID
- NCT01728571
- Acronym / sponsor ID
- lungVITAL / 2010-P-000622
- Conditions
- COPD, Asthma, Pulmonary Function, Pneumonia
- Keywords
- COPD, asthma, pulmonary function, pneumonia
- Study type
- Interventional
- Recruitment status
- Active, not recruiting
- Enrolment
- 25,871 participants (actual)
- Lead sponsor
- Brigham and Women's HospitalUniversity, hospital or other
- Collaborators
- Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH), National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI), National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), National Cancer Institute (NCI)
- Study start
- Jul 2010 (actual)
- Primary completion
- 11 Oct 2018 (actual)
- Study completion
- Nov 2027 (estimated)
- First posted
- 20 Nov 2012 (estimated)
- Results
- Posted 7 Aug 2026
Clinical summary
The research question as the sponsor registered it. This describes what the study plans to test, not what it found.
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.
Detailed description
Chronic obstructive lung disease (COPD) and pneumonia are leading causes of death in United States and worldwide. COPD, which is also a significant source of disability, is increasing in prevalence. Approximately 14 million adults have asthma, which leads to approximately 12 million missed work days per year in the United States. In adults, COPD and asthma often coexist. Treatment options for COPD are limited, and prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is high. COPD lung disease (COPD, asthma, airflow obstruction), and most COPD additional co-morbidities responsible for COPD progression (e.g., respiratory infections/pneumonia, muscle weakness, cardiac failure) may benefit from vitamin D supplementation therapy, but this requires rigorous testing. Marine omega-3 fatty acids work through different pathways from vitamin D to affect inflammation. Observational studies and clinical trials suggest that consumption of fish and/or fish oil may protect against COPD, asthma or pneumonia, but the data are not consistent. Thus, there is a compelling need for a clinical trial to evaluate the potential benefits or risks of vitamin D and fish oil supplementation on COPD and asthma exacerbations, airflow obstruction and decline of lung function, and risk of pneumonia.
The primary outcomes of interest in Lung VITAL are COPD exacerbations; airflow obstruction and decline of pulmonary function; and pneumonia. Asthma exacerbations and asthma control are secondary outcomes. A tertiary goal is to assess whether the effects of the interventions differ by baseline dietary intake or baseline blood levels of the nutrients.
Depending on the primary outcome, Lung VITAL will be conducted among all participants in VITAL (NCT 01169259), or in subsets of the VITAL population who were followed by detailed respiratory questionnaire and/or lung function testing.
Study design
- Primary purpose
- Prevention
- Allocation
- Randomised
- Intervention model
- Factorial
- Masking
- Triple blind (participant, investigator, outcomes assessor)
- Number of arms
- 4
| Arm | Type | Receives |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3 + fish oil | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3, Dietary Supplement: fish oilDietary Supplement: vitamin D3 Drug: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) |
| Vitamin D3 + fish oil placebo | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3, Dietary Supplement: Fish oil placeboDietary Supplement: vitamin D3 Dietary Supplement: fish oil placebo |
| Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil | Active comparator | Dietary Supplement: fish oil, Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 placeboDrug: omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil) Dietary Supplement: vitamin D3 placebo |
| Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo | Placebo comparator | Dietary Supplement: Vitamin D3 placebo, Dietary Supplement: Fish oil placeboDietary Supplement: vitamin D3 placebo Dietary Supplement: fish oil placebo |
Who may qualify
- Ages
- 50 years and older
- Sex
- All
- Healthy volunteers
- Accepted
- Age groups
- Adult, Older adult
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening; this overview does not establish that a patient qualifies. Full inclusion and exclusion criteria.
Interventions
| Intervention | Type | Arms |
|---|---|---|
| Vitamin D3Also: Vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol), 2000 IU per day. Other Name: cholecalciferol | Dietary supplement | Vitamin D3 + fish oil, Vitamin D3 + fish oil placebo |
| fish oilAlso: 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]). | Dietary supplement | Vitamin D3 + fish oil, Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil |
| Vitamin D3 placebo | Dietary supplement | Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil, Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo |
| Fish oil placebo | Dietary supplement | Vitamin D3 + fish oil placebo, Vitamin D3 placebo + fish oil placebo |
Primary outcome
COPD Exacerbations Expressed as Cumulative Rate/Year Over 5 Years
Time frame: 5 years
The primary questionnaire-based outcome was COPD respiratory exacerbations, defined for those with COPD as the number of episodes in the past 12 months of a flare-up of chest trouble treated with additional antibiotic or steroid medication at home, or resulting in hospitalization
Change Between Pre-randomization and 2-year Follow-up in Level of Measures of Pulmonary Function Representing Air Flow/Airflow Obstruction (Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1))
Time frame: pre-randomization and after 2 years follow-up
In a sub-group of study participants change in pulmonary function (FEV1) will be measured between pre-randomization and 2 years of follow-up
Change Between Pre-randomization and 2-year Follow-up in Level of Measures of Pulmonary Function Representing Air Flow/Airflow Obstruction (Forced Expiratory Volume in One Second (FEV1)/ Forced Vital Capacity (FVC))
Time frame: 2 years
In a sub-group of study participants change in pulmonary function (FEV1/FVC) will be measured between pre-randomization and 2 years of follow-up
Pneumonia
Time frame: 5 years
The rate of pneumonia incidence per year
1 secondary outcome
Asthma Exacerbations Expressed as Cumulative Rate/Year Over 5 Years
Time frame: 5 years
Results and safety
Loading the posted results from ClinicalTrials.gov…
Research links
- Official record on ClinicalTrials.govLast updated by the sponsor 7 Aug 2026.
- Posted resultsParticipant flow, baseline, all outcome measures and adverse events.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 39922497Gold 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.
- Derived from this study: PubMed 26784651Gold 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.
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Referral and contact
AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals. Contact the study team or a site listed below; they decide who can take part. This study is not recruiting at the moment.
Diane R Gold, MD, MPH principal investigator
Brigham and Women's Hospital
1 site in 1 country: see every site and its status.
Questions about this trial
What is this clinical trial studying?
A study testing Vitamin D3 and fish oil in people with COPD and Asthma, run by Brigham and Women's Hospital at 1 site in United States.
The full registered description is in the About this study section and the official record.
Who may be eligible to take part?
Eligibility is decided by the study team after screening, so read the full criteria and contact a listed site.
Is this clinical trial currently recruiting?
The record says: under way, not looking for participants, as of the sponsor's last update on 7 Aug 2026. Status can change between updates, so confirm with the study contact before making plans.
Where is the study taking place?
The record lists 1 site in United States. Whether a site is taking part right now should be confirmed with that site. See every site.
What are the possible benefits and risks?
They depend on the study and the treatment, and no study can promise a benefit. Some participants in this study may receive a placebo. The study team explains the known risks during informed consent, before anyone joins; the record itself does not list them.
Are results available for this study?
Yes. Results are posted in the registry (first posted 7 Aug 2026). A summary is in the For doctors view, and the full results are on ClinicalTrials.gov.
How can a doctor refer a patient or contact the research team?
The record lists no contact. The official record names the sponsor, who can be asked directly. AzTrials does not enrol participants or take referrals.
What does the primary outcome measure?
COPD Exacerbations Expressed as Cumulative Rate/Year Over 5 Years (time frame: 5 years). The study lists 4 primary outcomes in all. It is what the study was designed to measure, not a finding.
Where can I read the original study information?
On the ClinicalTrials.gov record for NCT01728571, which also lists 2 linked publications.
Does a listing mean the treatment is approved or proven to work?
No. A listing means the study is registered. It does not show that the treatment is safe, works, or is approved by a regulator.
How often is this information updated?
AzTrials copies changed records from ClinicalTrials.gov every night and reloads the whole registry every week. The sponsor last updated this record on 7 Aug 2026.