Effects of vitamin D supplementation on 25(OH)D levels and blood pressure in the elderly: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Hypertension and vitamin D deficiency are prevalent among the elderly. This study evaluated the effects of vitamin D supplementation on changes in serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and blood pressure (BP) in the elderly (age > 60 years). Methods: Randomized controlled trials from electronic databases on the elderly taking oral vitamin D, until the end of March 2019, were selected. Two reviewers independently screened the literature on the basis of specific inclusion criteria. The primary outcomes were serum 25(OH)D level, systolic BP (SBP), and diastolic BP (DBP) changes. Results: Our analysis revealed significant differences in serum 25(OH)D level changes between the vitamin D and control groups (mean difference [MD] = 13.84; 95% confidence interval [CI] = 10.21–17.47; P < 0.000). There were no significant differences in SBP and DBP changes between the vitamin D and control groups. Subgroup analysis revealed significant differences in SBP changes between the hypertensive and vitamin D-deficient subgroups (MD = –4.01; 95% CI = –7.45 to –0.57; P = 0.02 and MD = –1.91; 95% CI = –3.48 to –0.34; P = 0.02, respectively), and DBP changes only in the hypertensive subgroup (MD = –2.22; 95% CI = –4.1 to –0.34; P = 0.02). Conclusions: Vitamin D supplementation significantly increases 25(OH)D levels and seems beneficial in lowering BP, specifically in the elderly with elevated BP and vitamin D deficiency.