The efficacy of vitamin D in treatment of fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and systematic review

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#fibromyalgia #humans #pain #pain-measurement #randomized-controlled-trials-as-topic

The efficacy of vitamin D in treatment of fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and systematic review

Qu et al., 2022 | Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol | Meta Analysis

Citation

Qu Kang, Li Ming-Xi, ... Dong Ming. The efficacy of vitamin D in treatment of fibromyalgia: a meta-analysis of randomized controlled studies and systematic review. Expert Rev Clin Pharmacol. 2022-Apr;15(4):433-442. doi:10.1080/17512433.2022.2081151

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Recent studies have found potential benefits of vitamin D in relieving pain, and the results from randomized controlled trials of vitamin D for fibromyalgia have been promising. We conducted a comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy of vitamin D for treating fibromyalgia. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, and Cochrane Library databases were systematically searched for English-language articles. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, we selected only randomized controlled studies that reported vitamin D versus placebo-controlled cure for fibromyalgia. After extracting valid data, a meta-analysis was performed using Stata 12.0. The major outcome in the pooled analysis was the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire and Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) changes. RESULTS: Five studies including 315 participants were identified. These studies found that vitamin D was effective in reducing Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores compared with those of the control group, with significant differences (weighted mean difference = -7.82, 95% confidence interval: -12.05 to -3.59, P < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference in VAS between the two groups (weighted mean difference = -0.60, 95% confidence interval: -1.38 to 0.17, P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D supplementation may be an effective fibromyalgia therapeutic approach.

Key Findings

Five studies including 315 participants were identified. These studies found that vitamin D was effective in reducing Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire scores compared with those of the control group, with significant differences (weighted mean difference = -7.82, 95% confidence interval: -12.05 to -3.59, P < 0.001). However, there was no statistical difference in VAS between the two groups (weighted mean difference = -0.60, 95% confidence interval: -1.38 to 0.17, P > 0.05).

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 315
Age Range See abstract
Condition See abstract

MeSH Terms

  • Fibromyalgia
  • Humans
  • Pain
  • Pain Measurement
  • Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins

Evidence Classification

  • Level: Meta Analysis
  • Publication Types: Journal Article, Meta-Analysis, Systematic Review
  • Vertical: vitamin-d

Provenance

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