Title : Vitamin D supplementation and spinal fusion success: A meta-analysis
Abstract:
Background: Poor bone mineralization and various musculoskeletal disorder have been linked to Vitamin D deficiency, especially osteoporosis and fractures. (1,2) Recently, there has been growing an interest towards the potential impacts of vitamin D on the outcomes of spinal fusion surgery; however, clinical evidence supporting its benefit in spinal fusion remains inconclusive.
Objective: This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on spinal fusion success rates in patients undergoing spinal fusion surgery.
Methods: A systematic literature search was performed using PubMed in accordance with the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Eligible studies included randomized controlled trials, prospective, and retrospective cohorts reporting spinal fusion outcomes in patients receiving vitamin D supplementation. Data were analyzed using a random-effects model with the Mantel-Haenszel method, and heterogeneity was assessed using the I² statistic.
Results: Three studies met the inclusion criteria, comprising one randomized controlled trial and two prospective cohort studies, involving a total of 270 patients (170 in the vitamin D group and 100 in the control group). Pooled analysis demonstrated no statistically significant difference in fusion success between groups (risk ratio=1.01; 95% CI=0.72–1.41; p>0.05). High heterogeneity was observed (I²=89%), and risk of bias ranged from low to moderate across studies.
Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation did not significantly improve spinal fusion success rates. Further large-scale randomized controlled trials with standardized supplementation protocols and controlled preoperative vitamin D levels are needed to clarify its potential role in enhancing spinal fusion outcomes.
Keywords: Preoperative Vitamin D, Spinal Fusion.
