Efficacy and safety of vitamin D in tuberculosis patients: a systematic review and meta-analysis

ABSTRACT

Background

Evidence from the basic research and epidemiological studies indicates a beneficial effect of vitamin D in the treatment of tuberculosis (TB). However, the evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) is inconsistent.

Objectives

This systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to synthesize evidence regarding role of vitamin D versus placebo for the management of TB.

Materials and Methods

We searched PubMed and Cochrane Clinical Trial Registry for RCTs comparing vitamin D versus placebo for the treatment of TB. RCTs enrolling adult patients with TB receiving vitamin D in addition to standard treatment were included. Data were pooled using random effects model. The study was conducted according to PRISMA guidelines and protocol was registered with PROSPERO (CRD42016052841).

Results

Of 605 identified references, 12 RCTs were included. The overall risk of bias in included studies was low or unclear. There was no significant difference between vitamin D and placebo group for any outcomes of efficacy (time to culture conversion, time to smear conversion, rate of culture conversion, and rate of smear conversion) or safety (mortality, serious adverse events, and nonserious adverse events)

Conclusion

Vitamin D administered with standard treatment has no beneficial effect in the TB patients as compared to the placebo.

KEYWORDS:

• vitamin D
• tuberculosis
• time to culture conversion
• rate of culture conversion
• mortality

Declaration of interest

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

Reviewer disclosures

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial or other relationships to disclose.

Author contributions

All the authors of the study contributed for the synthesis of the article and agreed to the final version of this article

Data availability statement

The data of the study is with the corresponding author of the article and can be made available on request

Supplementary material

Supplemental data for this article can be accessed online at https://doi.org/10.1080/14787210.2022.2071702

Additional information

Funding

This paper was not funded.