Association between vitamin D and development of otitis media: A PRISMA-compliant meta-analysis and systematic review
Li HB, Tai XH, Sang YH, Jia JP, Xu ZM, Cui XF, et al.
Published in Medicine (Baltimore), Vol. 95 (40), pp. e4739
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis (PubMed, EMBASE, Cochrane Library to August 2015) of studies relating serum vitamin D to otitis media risk: 5 studies, 16,689 individuals.
Key Findings
People with otitis media had lower vitamin D levels (weighted mean difference -5.67; 95% CI -8.08 to -3.26, P < 0.001), but serum vitamin D was not associated with otitis media risk overall (OR 0.80, 95% CI 0.47-1.38, P = 0.425). Subgroup analysis suggested lower levels in acute otitis media.
Conclusions
The authors suggest vitamin D may matter in the progression of acute otitis media but not in chronic otitis media.
Limitations
Pools observational comparisons of blood levels, not supplementation trials, from only 5 studies. It cannot show that raising vitamin D prevents infection.
Supplements Studied
participants with acute OM might associate with lower serum vitamin D level
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
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This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.