Updated Meta-Analysis on Vitamin Supplementation for Chronic Pruritus: Expanding Evidence Beyond Vitamin D
Kuo WH, et al.
Published in International Journal of Molecular Sciences
Methodology
Systematic review and meta-analysis searching PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and the Cochrane Library to January 2025 for randomised controlled trials of vitamin supplementation (D, E, B12, niacinamide) for chronic pruritus; 21 trials pooled with standardised mean differences, subgroup, sensitivity and Egger's publication bias analyses.
Key Findings
Twenty-one randomised trials with 1,723 participants were pooled to assess vitamin supplementation for chronic itch. Compared with placebo, vitamins significantly reduced itch severity (standardised mean difference -0.578, 95% CI -0.736 to -0.419, p < 0.001) with moderate heterogeneity (I-squared 53.6%). Subgroup analysis found the largest effects for topical vitamin B12 and vitamin D3, particularly in atopic dermatitis and kidney-disease-related itch. Sensitivity analysis supported the result, but Egger's test indicated likely publication bias (p = 0.0098), meaning the true effect may be smaller than estimated.
Conclusions
Vitamin supplementation significantly reduced pruritus severity versus placebo, with topical vitamin B12 and vitamin D3 showing the largest effects in atopic dermatitis and CKD-associated itch; publication bias was noted.
Limitations
Egger's test signals publication bias, so negative trials are probably missing and the pooled benefit is likely overstated; the trials mix different vitamins, routes and underlying causes of itch, and optimal dose and duration remain undefined.
Supplements Studied
Subgroup analysis revealed that topical vitamin B12 and vitamin D3 showed the most pronounced antipruritic effects, particularly in patients with atopic dermatitis and chronic kidney disease-associated pruritus.
Related Health Concerns
Study Details
Access Study
This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult a healthcare professional before starting any supplement regimen.