Takeaway
- Meta-analysis suggests low vitamin D concentration is associated with arthritis, muscle pain and chronic widespread pain.
Why this matters
- Previous studies and meta-analysis have reported conflicting findings.
Study design
- Meta-analysis of 81 studies involving 50,834 participants identified after a search on MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials till April 2017.
- Mean circulating 25(OH)D concentration and proportions of hypovitaminosis D in participants with and without pain were evaluated.
- Funding: None.
Key results
- 21,723 participants reported pain (mean age, 49.4 years) and 29,111 participants were without pain (control group; mean age, 50.0 years).
- Mean circulating 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in patients with arthritis (mean difference [MD], −12.34 nmol/L; P<.001), muscle pain (MD, −8.97 nmol/L; P=.003) and chronic widespread pain (MD, −7.77 nmol/L; P<.001) vs control group.
- The risk for vitamin D deficiency was higher in patients with arthritis (OR, 2.17; P<.001), muscle pain (OR, 2.03; P=.005) and chronic widespread pain (OR, 1.51; P<.001) vs control group.
- Circulating 25(OH)D concentration (P=.06) and risk for hypovitaminosis D (P=.73) were not significantly different in patients with headache/migraine vs control group.
Limitations
- Observational studies were included.
- High heterogeneity across studies.
References
References
