Ganmaa D, Enkhmaa D, Nasantogtokh E, Sukhbaatar S, Tumur-Ochir KE, Manson JE. Vitamin D, respiratory infections, and chronic disease: Review of meta-analyses and randomized clinical trials.
J Intern Med 2022;
291:141-164. [PMID:
34537990 DOI:
10.1111/joim.13399]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND
Observational studies have suggested associations of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) with respiratory tract infections, impaired bone health, and myriad chronic diseases.
OBJECTIVE
To assess potential causal relationships between vitamin D supplementation and a reduced risk of these conditions, a review of the evidence across available meta-analyses of randomized control trials (RCTs) and RCTs was performed.
METHOD
PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, and Web of Science were searched from their inception to March 2021. We included only RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs focusing on the association between vitamin D and respiratory disease, bone health, cardiovascular disease (CVD), diabetes mellitus, and cancer.
RESULTS
A total of 107 RCTs and 62 meta-analysis of RCTs were included. Although most RCTs did not support benefits of vitamin D supplementation, suggestive evidence for benefit was found in populations at greater risk of VDD and for acute respiratory infections, fractures in institutionalized older adults, type 2 diabetes among patients with prediabetes, and cancer mortality. In contrast, no compelling evidence for benefit was found for other respiratory conditions, fractures in community-dwelling adults, falls, cancer incidence, or CVD.
CONCLUSIONS
Current evidence from RCTs and meta-analyses of RCTs is inconsistent regarding the effects of vitamin D supplementation on respiratory infections and chronic diseases. Individuals most likely to benefit are those with baseline VDD or with selected high-risk conditions. Public health initiatives are needed to eliminate VDD globally, and future research will be enhanced by a 'precision prevention' approach to identify those most likely to benefit from vitamin D supplementation.
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