Vitamin D status in endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#case-control-studies #endometriosis #female #humans #quality-assurance-health-care

Vitamin D status in endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Qiu et al., 2020 | Arch Gynecol Obstet | Meta Analysis

Citation

Qiu Yichao, Yuan Shuang, Wang Hongjing. Vitamin D status in endometriosis: a systematic review and meta-analysis. Arch Gynecol Obstet. 2020-Jul;302(1):141-152. doi:10.1007/s00404-020-05576-5

Abstract

PURPOSE: No consensus exists on the relationship between vitamin D status and endometriosis. The chief aim of our study was to evaluate the association between serum vitamin D levels and endometriosis. METHODS: We searched for MEDLINE, EMBASE, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI) databases for studies elucidated the circulating vitamin D levels in endometriosis. The standardized mean differences (SMDs) or odds ratios (ORs) with their 95% confidence interval (CIs) were calculated to evaluate the association between vitamin D levels and endometriosis. RESULTS: Nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that women with endometriosis had lower vitamin D status than that in controls (SMD - 0.97 ng/mL, 95% CI - 1.80 to - 0.14; p = 0.02), and vitamin D status had a negative correlation with the severity of the disease (stage III-IV vs stage I-II: SMD - 1.33 ng/mL, 95% CI - 2.54 to - 0.12; p = 0.03). Although it was not statistically significantly different, hypovitaminosis D had a tendency to be associated with endometriosis (OR 2.77, 95% CI 0.85-6.08, p = 0.10). Heterogeneity was high among included studies. Subgroup analyses revealed that women with no hormone use had lower vitamin D status when compared with controls (SMD - 1.38 ng/mL, 95% CI - 2.59 to - 0.18; p = 0.02). For studies which sample size < 100, serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients than that in controls (SMD - 0.65 ng/mL, 95% CI - 1.19 to - 0.11; p = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS: Women with endometriosis had lower vitamin D status when compared with controls, and a negative relationship between vitamin D levels and severity of endometriosis was observed. In addition, hypovitaminosis D was a potential risk factor for endometriosis.

Key Findings

Nine studies were included in this meta-analysis. The pooled results indicated that women with endometriosis had lower vitamin D status than that in controls (SMD - 0.97 ng/mL, 95% CI - 1.80 to - 0.14; p = 0.02), and vitamin D status had a negative correlation with the severity of the disease (stage III-IV vs stage I-II: SMD - 1.33 ng/mL, 95% CI - 2.54 to - 0.12; p = 0.03). Although it was not statistically significantly different, hypovitaminosis D had a tendency to be associated with endometri

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size See abstract
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Case-Control Studies
  • Endometriosis
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Quality Assurance, Health Care
  • Risk Factors
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamin D Deficiency

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

Source extracted via PubMed E-utilities API on 2026-04-09