Evidence Hub

Micronutrient requirements for stem cell transplantation patients > 100 days after transplant and during graft versus host disease: a systematic review

Johnson C, McCormack D, Brown T, MacLaughlin HL, Blake C, Willims R, Andersen S

Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer, 2025

1,573 participants · 1 citation

Abstract

Purpose: There are no clinical guidelines for micronutrient supplementation and monitoring during the post-acute phase of Stem cell transplantation (SCT) and during graft versus host disease (GVHD). Hence this comprehensive systematic review aimed to evaluate the evidence for vitamin and mineral supplementation and monitoring to inform clinical practice.

Methods: Eligible studies included adults who had undergone SCT more than 100 days ago or were experiencing GVHD and were prescribed a micronutrient supplement and/or had micronutrient levels monitored. Human studies published in English were retrieved from five databases (Embase, Medline, Scopus, Web of Science, and CINAHL) on the 24th of May 2024. The risk of bias and certainty of evidence were assessed through the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics Quality Criteria Checklist and The Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) system. No meta-analysis was completed as part of this systematic review.

Results: Sixteen studies (n = 1573) met eligibility criteria for inclusion. Micronutrients examined by these studies were vitamin D, calcium, and vitamin A. All studies had a neutral risk of bias. Studies reported variable prevalence of vitamin D deficiency, with mixed results regarding the association between vitamin D or calcium and the outcomes of reduced bone mineral density (BMD), chronic GVHD, mortality, sarcopenia, or fractures. The GRADE certainty of evidence for vitamin D or calcium and…

How strong is the evidence?

Evidence Hub reads this as a systematic review, 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: 1,573 participants or records.

How the five levels of evidence work. The level is assigned automatically from the abstract and can be wrong, so check the paper.

Read the paper

Related studies

Go deeper in Evidence Hub

Evidence Hub adds a study data sheet (design, sample size, evidence level, key numbers), an AI summary and a chat grounded in the paper's text.

Open this study Sign up free