A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

source extracted confidence: high 2026-04-09
#humans #muscular-dystrophy-duchenne #retrospective-studies #prospective-studies #cross-sectional-studies

A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy

Guo et al., 2023 | Neuromuscul Disord | Meta Analysis

Citation

Guo Jing, Anthony Karen. A systematic literature review and meta-analysis of the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation for patients with Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Neuromuscul Disord. 2023-Nov;33(11):835-844. doi:10.1016/j.nmd.2023.10.008

Abstract

We conducted a systematic literature review and meta-analysis on the effectiveness of vitamin D supplementation in maintaining or restoring vitamin D levels in Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Due to a lack of randomised controlled trials, cross-sectional and retrospective and prospective cohort studies were taken as the best available evidence. Inclusion criteria included reporting mean serum vitamin D levels in a supplement-taking group. After screening 102 records; 13 were included in a narrative synthesis and eight of these in a meta-analysis. We show that current dosing regimens are preventing severe deficiency but are not effective at maintaining sufficient vitamin D levels within the Duchenne population. Despite high levels of daily vitamin D supplementation (>1000 International Units), at least 20 % of people with Duchenne remain vitamin D deficient. No significant association between dose and serum vitamin D levels was found (r2 = 0.3, p = 0.237). A meta-analysis of mean serum vitamin D levels across eight studies also revealed substantial variability in response to vitamin D supplementation and high heterogeneity (I2 = 99.59 %). These data could impact on an individual's risk and severity of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.

Key Findings

These data could impact on an individual's risk and severity of osteoporosis and vertebral fractures.

Outcomes Measured

  • Requires manual extraction

Population

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

MeSH Terms

  • Humans
  • Muscular Dystrophy, Duchenne
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Prospective Studies
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Vitamin D
  • Vitamins
  • Dietary Supplements

Evidence Classification

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

Provenance

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