A recent systematic review and meta-analysis explored the potential benefits of vitamin D in enhancing the quality of life for individuals with irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Many IBS patients are found to have low or insufficient serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D], but it remains unclear whether increasing vitamin D intake can effectively improve symptom severity and overall well-being.
As reported by medicaldialogues.in, this research examined how changes in vitamin D intake or serum levels might positively impact IBS symptoms and quality of life. Relevant data were gathered through a systematic search of databases, including MEDLINE®, Cochrane, and EMBASE, up until August 12, 2024. In total, 12 studies comprising 15 articles were selected for final analysis. Data extraction followed PRISMA guidelines to ensure a structured approach, while randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were assessed for potential bias using the Nutrition Quality Evaluation Strengthening Tools. Random effects models were employed in the meta-analysis to evaluate pooled results.
Most participants in the included studies had deficient or insufficient baseline serum 25(OH)D levels. The intervention periods varied, with vitamin D supplementation doses ranging from 3,000 IU daily to 50,000 IU bi-weekly, over a span of 6 to 26 weeks. The meta-analysis of low-risk RCTs revealed a significant increase in serum vitamin D levels in the supplementation groups compared to placebos, with a pooled mean difference of 20.33 ng/mL, confirming the effectiveness of supplementation in raising vitamin D levels. Notably, improvements in quality of life were observed in populations with low baseline vitamin D levels, as the pooled data showed a marked positive shift in quality of life scores, suggesting that correcting vitamin D deficiencies may enhance well-being in IBS patients.
However, the effect of vitamin D on IBS symptom severity was less conclusive. While there was a trend towards reduced symptom severity, the results were not statistically significant. The high heterogeneity (I2 = 92.8%) in the data indicates that further research is needed to better understand the variability in outcomes. Overall, this study highlights that vitamin D supplementation can raise serum 25(OH)D levels and improve quality of life in IBS patients with initial vitamin D deficiencies, though its impact on symptom severity remains uncertain.