Vitamin D and Respiratory Tract Infections – meta-analysis with charts June 2013

Vitamin D and Respiratory Tract Infections: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

PLoS ONE 8(6): e65835. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0065835
Peter Bergman, Åsa U. Lindh, Linda Björkhem-Bergman, Jonatan D. Lindh

Background: Low levels of 25-OH vitamin D are associated with respiratory tract infection (RTI). However, results from randomized controlled trials are inconclusive. Therefore, we performed a systematic review and meta-analysis to assess the preventive effect of vitamin D supplementation on RTI.

Methods: Randomized, controlled trials of vitamin D for prevention of RTI were used for the analysis. The risks of within-trial and publication bias were assessed. Odds ratios of RTI were pooled using a random-effects model. Heterogeneity was assessed using Cochran's Q and I2. Meta-regressions and subgroup analyses were used to assess the influence of various factors on trial outcome. The pre-defined review protocol was registered at the PROSPERO international prospective register of systematic reviews, registration number CRD42013003530.

Findings: Of 1137 citations retrieved, 11 placebo-controlled studies of 5660 patients were included in the meta-analysis. Overall, vitamin D showed a protective effect against RTI (OR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.49 to 0.84). There was significant heterogeneity among studies (Cohran's Q p<0.0001, I2 = 72%). The protective effect was larger in studies using once-daily dosing compared to bolus doses (OR = 0.51 vs OR = 0.86, p = 0.01). There was some evidence that results may have been influenced by publication bias.

Results: indicate that vitamin D has a protective effect against RTI, and dosing once-daily seems most effective. Due to heterogeneity of included studies and possible publication bias in the field, these results should be interpreted with caution.

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See also VitaminDWiki

• Bronchiectasis strongly associated with low vitamin D - Jan 2013
• Respiratory infections reduced by 63 percent with 4000 IU vitamin D daily - RCT Dec 2012
• Vitamin D reduces respiratory tract infections by 40 percent– meta-analysis Dec 2012
• Acute respiratory infection treated by vitamin D in 6 of 12 clinical trials – review Nov 2012
• 100 percent of Acute Respiratory Failure patients had low vitamin D - April 2012
• Overview Asthma and Vitamin D
• Low dose Vitamin D during pregnancy and infancy results in strange acute respiratory infection response – April 2015
• All items in Breathing and Vitamin D 452 items
• Acute lower respiratory infection 5X more frequent with low vitamin D intake – June 2012
• Fewer respiratory infections if optimal level of vitamin D (more than 47 ng) – Sept 2013
• Just 300 IU daily of vitamin D reduced respiratory infections by 50% – RCT Aug 2012
• 100 percent of Acute Respiratory Failure patients had low vitamin D - April 2012
• All items in category Inflammation and Vitamin D 173 items
• Upper respiratory tract infection 2X more likely if vitamin D less than 30 ng – Aug 2013
• Inflammation, infection, active vitamin D, and Olmesartan - Sept 2014
• Vitamin D response time is 3-6 months, not much benefit in first 4 months – RCT July 2017

See also PubMed

• Vitamin D3 and gargling for the prevention of upper respiratory tract infections: a randomized controlled trial May 2014
  Minimal 10,000 IU vitamin D per week and gargling twice a day did reduce RTI some
  PDF is attached at the bottom of the page
  Would have be interesting if they have gargled with water to which Vitamin D had been added.