Vitamin D and the Risk of Stress Fracture: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Case-Control and Cohort Studies
Abstract
Research Type: Level 1 - Randomized controlled trial (RCT), Meta-analysis of randomized trials with homogeneous results Introduction/Purpose: Background: A stress fracture is an overuse injury to the bone caused by repetitive, submaximal forces that gradually exceed the bone’s natural capacity for self-repair and several biological and mechanical risk factors influence its occurrence. Given the role of vitamin D in bone health, the potential relationship between this micronutrient and stress fractures is of great importance and warrants further investigation. Hypothesis/Purpose: This study aims to establish an association between lower vitamin D status and a higher risk of stress fractures Methods: This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted and reported according to the guidelines outlined in the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA). Systematic search was performed without date restriction until June 2024. After the selection process, 7 studies (9 trials and 797 subjects) were included. Risk of bias assessment was performed by independent reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale (NOS) (Wells et al., 2021). Mean and standard deviation results of the variables of interest were obtained from the included studies. I2 statistic was used to evaluate the heterogeneity of the studies included in the meta-analysis. The effect size (ES) Cohen’s or Hedges’ was calculated for all studies. The weighted mean of the ES was calculated…
How strong is the evidence?
Evidence Hub reads this as a meta-analysis, done in people. Its evidence level is 1 of 5 (Highest · pooled evidence). Pooled evidence from several studies sits at the top of the evidence pyramid. Reported size: 797 participants or records.
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