Vitamin D and airway infections: a European perspective
Vitamin D has immuno-modulatory properties, and deficient levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (<30 nmol/l) may contribute to increased risk of infectious illnesses. This narrative review summarises data on vitamin D status in Europe and updates results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs)...
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| Main Authors: | , |
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| Format: | Article (Journal) |
| Language: | English |
| Published: |
24 March 2016
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| In: |
European journal of medical research
Year: 2016, Volume: 21 |
| ISSN: | 2047-783X |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s40001-016-0208-y |
| Online Access: | Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://doi.org/10.1186/s40001-016-0208-y Verlag, kostenfrei, Volltext: https://eurjmedres.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s40001-016-0208-y 
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| Author Notes: | Armin Zittermann, Stefan Pilz, Harald Hoffmann and Winfried März |
| Summary: | Vitamin D has immuno-modulatory properties, and deficient levels of circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D (<30 nmol/l) may contribute to increased risk of infectious illnesses. This narrative review summarises data on vitamin D status in Europe and updates results of randomised controlled trials (RCTs) regarding vitamin D and airway infections such as tuberculosis (TB) and acute upper respiratory tract infection. In Europe, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is up to 37 % in the general population and up to 80 % in nursing home residents and non-European immigrants. Half of TB patients have a migration background. While results of RCTs do not support the concept of beneficial adjunctive effects of vitamin D supplements in anti-TB treatment [odds ratio (OR) = 0.86; 95 % CI 0.62-1.19], the few published RCTs on the prophylaxis of TB suggest some protective vitamin D effects in individuals with deficient circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels. Regarding acute respiratory tract infection, RCTs indicate a significant risk reduction by vitamin D supplements [OR = 0.65; 95 % confidence interval (CI) 0.50-0.85]. There is evidence that daily administration is more effective than high-dose bolus administration [OR = 0.48 (95 % CI 0.30-0.77) vs. OR = 0.87 (95 % CI 0.67-1.14)] and that individuals with deficient or insufficient (30-50 nmol/l) circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels benefit most. Several vitamin D effects on innate immunity may explain these protective effects. In summary, there is possible evidence from RCTs for protective vitamin D effects on TB and likely evidence for protective effects on acute airway infection. Since vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in Europe, especially in institutionalised individuals and non-European immigrants, daily oral vitamin D intake, e.g. 1000 international units, is an inexpensive measure to ensure adequate vitamin D status in individuals at risk. |
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| Item Description: | Gesehen am 28.03.2019 |
| Physical Description: | Online Resource |
| ISSN: | 2047-783X |
| DOI: | 10.1186/s40001-016-0208-y |