The Association Between Vitamin D Concentration and Pain: a Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Overview

Journal Public Health Nutr

Publisher Cambridge University Press

Date 2018 Mar 22

PMID 29559013

Citations 37

Authors

Zhenqiang Wu

Zarintaj Malihi

Alistair W Stewart

Carlene Mm Lawes

Robert Scragg

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objective: Pain-related conditions, such as chronic widespread pain and fibromyalgia, are major burdens for individuals and the health system. Evidence from previous research on the association between circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations and pain is conflicting. Thus, we aimed to determine if there is an association between mean 25(OH)D concentration (primary aim), or proportion of hypovitaminosis D (secondary aim), and pain conditions in observational studies.

Design: Published observational research on 25(OH)D concentration and pain-related conditions was systematically searched for in electronic sources (MEDLINE, EMBASE and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) and a random-effects meta-analysis was conducted on included studies.

Results: Eighty-one observational studies with a total of 50 834 participants were identified. Compared with controls, mean 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower in patients with arthritis (mean difference (MD): -12·34 nmol/l; P<0·001), muscle pain (MD: -8·97 nmol/l; P=0·003) and chronic widespread pain (MD: -7·77 nmol/l; P<0·001), but not in patients with headache or migraine (MD: -2·53 nmol/l; P=0·06). The odds of vitamin D deficiency was increased for arthritis, muscle pain and chronic widespread pain, but not for headache or migraine, compared with controls. Sensitivity analyses revealed similar results.

Conclusions: A significantly lower 25(OH)D concentration was observed in patients with arthritis, muscle pain and chronic widespread pain, compared with those without. These results suggest that low 25(OH)D concentrations may be associated with pain conditions.

Citing Articles

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Association between serum vitamin D and severe headache or migraine: A population-based analysis.

Hao S, Qian R, Chen Y, Liu J, Xu X, Guan Y PLoS One. 2025; 20(1):e0313082.

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Pediatric Headache Patients Are at High Risk of Vitamin D Insufficiency.

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Vitamin D, chronic pain, and depression: linear and non-linear Mendelian randomization analyses.

Bassett E, Gjekmarkaj E, Mason A, Zhao S, Burgess S Transl Psychiatry. 2024; 14(1):274.

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