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Vitamin D: immune function, inflammation, infections and auto-immunity.

Paediatrics and international child health
November 1, 2023
Casey R Johnson et al. (2 authors)
ReviewJournal ArticleHuman Study
Study Details

Study Goal

The researchers aimed to evaluate the role of vitamin D in immune system regulation and its potential protective effects against infections and auto-immune disorders.

Results Summary

The study found an inverse relationship between vitamin D status and the risk of infections and auto-immune conditions, with supplementation showing modest benefits for acute respiratory infections, type 1 diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease, particularly in deficient individuals. Meta-analyses of RCTs had mixed results, with stronger evidence from observational studies.

Population

General population, with specific focus on individuals with vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency, children, and those with auto-immune conditions.

Effective Dosage

Not specified

Duration

Not specified

Interactions

None mentioned

Extracted Claims (7)
InterventionDirectionEndpointPopulationDosageImpactClaim #
vitamin D status
decrease
incidence of several infectious and auto-immune conditions
-
-
inversely associated with
#1
low vitamin D status
increase
acute respiratory infections, COVID-19 disorders, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus and other auto-immune disorders
-
-
link to risk of
#2
vitamin D supplementation
decrease
several infectious and auto-immune conditions
-
-
may protect against
#3
vitamin D supplementation
decrease
acute respiratory infections
those with vitamin D deficiency and children
small
demonstrating a small protective role against
#4
vitamin D supplementation
increase
T1DM and IBD
-
modest
providing modest benefits for the management of
#5
vitamin D supplementation
neutral
vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency
those
-
recommended for
#6
vitamin D supplementation
increase
acute respiratory infections and certain auto-immune conditions
-
additional
might provide additional benefit in
#7
Abstract

Vitamin D plays an active role beyond mineral metabolism and skeletal health, including regulation of the immune system. Vitamin D deficiency is widely prevalent, and observational studies link low vitamin D status to a risk of infections and auto-immune disorders. Reports indicate an inverse relationship between vitamin D status and such conditions. This review details vitamin D signalling interactions with the immune system and provides experimental and clinical evidence evaluating vitamin D status, vitamin D supplementation and host susceptibility to infections, inflammation and auto-immunity. The published literature including related reviews, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, randomised controlled trials (RCTs), observational studies and basic science reports have been synthesised. Meta-analyses of observational studies have demonstrated a link between low vitamin D status and risk of acute respiratory infections, COVID-19 disorders, multiple sclerosis, type 1 diabetes (T1DM), inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), systemic lupus erythematosus and other auto-immune disorders. Observational studies suggest that vitamin D supplementation may protect against several infectious and auto-immune conditions. Meta-analyses of RCTs had mixed results, demonstrating a small protective role for vitamin D supplementation against acute respiratory infections, especially in those with vitamin D deficiency and children, and providing modest benefits for the management of T1DM and IBD. Vitamin D status is inversely associated with the incidence of several infectious and auto-immune conditions. Supplementation is recommended for those with vitamin D deficiency or at high risk of deficiency, and it might provide additional benefit in acute respiratory infections and certain auto-immune conditions.

Medical Subject Headings (MeSH)
ChildHumansVitamin DDiabetes Mellitus, Type 1Dietary SupplementsVitamin D DeficiencyRespiratory Tract InfectionsInflammationInflammatory Bowel DiseasesImmunity
Study Links
Quality Scores
Safety85
Efficacy70/10
Quality90/10
Citation Metrics
Total Citations18
Citations/Year9.0
Relative Citation Ratio5.21
NIH Percentile93.5%
Research Impact Scores
APT Score0.75
Weight Score3.17
Normalized Score0.80
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