Psychological Outcomes and Quality of Life of Fibromyalgia Patients with Vitamin D Supplementation—A Meta-Analysis

Abstract

The efficacy of current pharmaceutical treatments for fibromyalgia are limited. Vitamin D has shown promise in relieving pain. However, there is a lack of comprehensive analysis of psychological outcomes with vitamin D supplementation in fibromyalgia. This study aimed to investigate the impact of vitamin D supplementation on psychological outcomes and quality of life in fibromyalgia patients, given the unmet clinical need for effective treatment options. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D to placebo and prospective studies examining changes before and after vitamin D supplementation for patients with fibromyalgia was conducted to evaluate the effects of vitamin D on psychological outcomes, quality of life, and pain scores in patients with fibromyalgia. Databases were searched for relevant articles published from earliest available date to October 31, 2022. (PROSPERO number, CRD42022369889). We included 8 trials with a total of 694 participants and found that vitamin D supplementation had significant positive effects on physical function (standard mean differences (SMD) = 0.44, 95% CI = [0.10, 0.77 ]), role limitations due to emotional health (SMD = 0.57, 95% CI = [0.32, 0.82]), social function (SMD = 0.50, 95% CI = [0.08, 0.93]), and general health (SMD = 0.36, 95% CI = [0.11, 0.61]). Improvement of the Fibromyalgia Impact Questionnaire (FIQ) scores was noted (SMD = −0.414, 95% CI = [−0.808, −0.021]), but not on the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) (SMD = −0.15, 95% CI = [−0.771, 0.471]) and the Beck’s Depression Inventory (BDI) scores (SMD = −0.456, 95% CI = [−1.27, 0.30]). In conclusion, vitamin D supplementation might be an alternative option for improvement of psychological outcomes and quality of life in patients with fibromyalgia.