Efficacy and acceptability of vitamin D supplements for depressed patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.
Study Goal
The researchers aimed to determine whether vitamin D supplements are effective and safe in reducing depressive symptoms compared to placebo in depressed patients.
Results Summary
Vitamin D supplements were significantly superior to placebo in reducing depression, with a standardized mean difference of -0.49 (95% CI: -0.75 to -0.23). The study concluded that vitamin D is effective and safe for depressed patients, though data were heterogeneous.
Population
Depressed patients (median age 39 years).
Effective Dosage
Not specified in the abstract.
Duration
Not specified in the abstract.
Interactions
None mentioned.
| Intervention | Direction | Endpoint | Population | Dosage | Impact | Claim # |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
vitamin D | decrease | depression | depressed patients | standardized mean difference = -0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.75 to -0.23 | significantly superior to placebo in reducing | #1 |
vitamin D supplements | neutral | - | depressed patients | - | effective and safe for | #2 |
OBJECTIVES: This systematic review and meta-analysis synthesized the evidence from randomized controlled trials comparing vitamin D and placebo in reducing depressive symptoms and contributing to all-cause dropout rates. METHODS: Inclusion criteria were randomized controlled trials comparing reduced depression between depressed patients receiving vitamin D and those receiving placebo. We searched PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials through January 2022. RESULTS: Eighteen trials (1980 participants, median age 39 y) were included in the meta-analysis. Vitamin D supplements were significantly superior to placebo in reducing depression (standardized mean difference = -0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.75 to -0.23; I CONCLUSIONS: Heterogeneous data suggested that vitamin D supplements are effective and safe for depressed patients.