Vitamin D supplementation to prevent asthma exacerbations: a systematic review and meta-analysis of individual participant data.

Study answer

What this study found

Vitamin D supplementation reduced the rate of asthma exacerbations treated with systemic corticosteroids compared with placebo in the overall population, and the evidence was judged high quality. The apparent protective effect was strongest among participants with baseline 25(OH)D below 25 nmol/L, while no definitive effect modification was shown for age, sex, ethnicity, BMI, dosing regimen, inhaled corticosteroid use, or study duration. The intervention appeared safe, with no reported hypercalcaemia or renal stones and no overall increase in serious adverse events. The authors also noted…

Study & population

This was an individual participant data systematic review and meta-analysis of six randomized placebo-controlled trials in children and adults with asthma.

Intervention

Vitamin D supplementation was evaluated across six randomized placebo-controlled trials in people with asthma.

Key limitation

The included trials were relatively small and heterogeneous in age group, dose, schedule, and duration, which limits certainty around subgroup effects.

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Original abstract