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. 2023 Mar;15(2):262-270.
doi: 10.4168/aair.2023.15.2.262.

Effect of Vitamin D on the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis With Consideration of Heterogeneities: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Ji Soo Park #  1 , Mina Kim #  2 , In Suk Sol  3 , Kyung Suk Lee  4 , Suyeon Park  5   6 , Hyeon-Jong Yang  7 , Eun Lee  8
Affiliations

Effect of Vitamin D on the Treatment of Atopic Dermatitis With Consideration of Heterogeneities: Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials

Ji Soo Park et al. Allergy Asthma Immunol Res. 2023 Mar.

Abstract

Various therapeutic approaches, including supplemental nutritional support, have been tried for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD). Previous studies have reported the role of vitamin D in the treatment of AD with inconsistent results. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of vitamin D in the treatment of AD, with considerations on the heterogeneities of AD. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation for AD treatment, published before June 30, 2021 were identified in the PubMed, EMBASE, MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases. The quality of evidence was assessed using the Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation system. This meta-analysis included 5 RCTs with 304 cases of AD. We found that vitamin D supplementation did not decrease AD severity, even when AD was classified as severe vs non-severe. However, vitamin D supplementation was found to be effective in the treatment of AD in RCTs that included both children and adults, but not in those that included only children. Geographic location was associated with a significant difference in the therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplementation. Moreover, vitamin D supplementation of > 2,000 IU/day decreased AD severity, but supplementation ≤ 2,000 IU/day did not. Vitamin D supplementation, in general, was not effective for the treatment of AD. However, vitamin D supplementation might provide a therapeutic effect depending on the geographic location and dose of supplementation. The results of the present meta-analysis suggest that vitamin D supplementation might be targeted for patients with AD who may benefit from vitamin D supplementation.

Keywords: Atopic dermatitis; adult; child; meta-analysis; randomized controlled trial; treatment; vitamin D.

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Conflict of interest statement

There are no financial or other issues that might lead to conflict of interest.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1. PRISMA flow diagram.
Fig. 2
Fig. 2. (A) Forest plot for changes in SCORAD index in 4 RCTs. (B) Forest plot for changes in the SMD of the combination of SCORAD index and Eczema Area and Severity Index scores in 5 RCTs.
SD, standard deviation; SMD, standardized mean difference; CI, confidence interval; SCORAD, SCORing atopic dermatitis; RCT, randomized controlled trial.
Fig. 3
Fig. 3. (A) Forest plot for changes in the SCORAD index in subgroup analyses in 4 RCTs. (B) Forest plot for changes in the SCORAD index and Eczema Area and Severity Index score in subgroup analyses in 5 RCTs.
EUR, European Region; EMR, Eastern Mediterranean Region; AMR, Region of the Americas; SCORAD, SCORing atopic dermatitis; RCT, randomized controlled trial.
Fig. 4
Fig. 4. (A) Publication bias for RCTs using the SCORAD index. (B) RCTs using the combination of the SCORAD index and Eczema Area and Severity Index score.
RCT, randomized controlled trial; SCORAD, SCORing atopic dermatitis.
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