Vitamin D as adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot ulcers: Systematic review and meta-analysis approach

Kinesya et al., 2023 | Clin Nutr ESPEN | Meta Analysis

Citation

Kinesya Edwin, Santoso Donni, ... Mannagalli Yusuf. Vitamin D as adjuvant therapy for diabetic foot ulcers: Systematic review and meta-analysis approach. Clin Nutr ESPEN. 2023-Apr;54:137-143. doi:10.1016/j.clnesp.2023.01.011

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetic Foot Ulcer (DFU) is a combination of neuropathy and ischaemia on diabetic patient's lower limbs. It has a high burden of limb amputation rate, mortality rate, disability, economic burden, and lower quality of life on diabetic patients. It took mostly 3-6 months and up to 1 year for DFU to heal. DFU patients also have an increased risk of vitamin D deficiency. Meanwhile vitamin D has effects on immune response, insulin secretion, and sensitivity. The long duration of DFU healing is a problem for the patient's health, job, income, quality of life, economy and healthcare. Therefore, we aim to conduct a meta-analysis to assess reliability of vitamin D supplementation on diabetic foot ulcer clinical outcome. METHODS: We conducted systematic literature search according to PRISMA guideline on Cochrane Library, PubMed, Google Scholar, ProQuest, EBSCO and ScienceDirect from 16 until 24 June 2022. Effect of vitamin D supplementation on diabetic foot ulcer patients was analyzed with a comprehensive meta-analysis tool. Pooled ulcer area, total cholesterol, triglyceride, C-reactive protein, HbA1c, and fasting plasma glucose assessed with 95% confidence intervals were estimated using fixed-effects or random-effects models. RESULTS: We included 4 papers with 197 people as sample reporting vitamin D capability as treatment for DFU patients. The pooled analysis showed significant differences in ulcer area, serum Vitamin D, Total Cholesterol, Fasting Plasma Glucose, Triglyceride, C-Reactive Protein, and HbA1c. Insignificant results on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and High Density Lipoprotein levels. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D supplementation is beneficial to be given as adjuvant treatment for diabetic foot ulcer. It may fasten the wound healing and decrease the burden caused by diabetic foot ulcers.

Key Findings

We included 4 papers with 197 people as sample reporting vitamin D capability as treatment for DFU patients. The pooled analysis showed significant differences in ulcer area, serum Vitamin D, Total Cholesterol, Fasting Plasma Glucose, Triglyceride, C-Reactive Protein, and HbA1c. Insignificant results on Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate and High Density Lipoprotein levels.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

Field Value
Population See abstract
Sample Size 197
Age Range See abstract
Condition deficiency

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Diabetic Foot
  • Vitamin D
  • C-Reactive Protein
  • Glycated Hemoglobin
  • Blood Glucose
  • Quality of Life
  • Reproducibility of Results
  • Vitamins
  • Cholesterol
  • Diabetes Mellitus

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance


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