Vitamin D supplementation and lower urinary tract symptoms: a systematic review and meta-analysis

Yan Gan; Yi Lin; Ying Tang; Junjie Ying; Dezhi Mu

doi:10.29219/fnr.v70.13933

Yan Gan Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Yi Lin Department of Neonates, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
Ying Tang Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China;; Department of Ultrasonography, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
Junjie Ying Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; 2Department of Neonates, Shenzhen Children’s Hospital, Shenzhen, China
Dezhi Mu Department of Pediatrics, West China Second University Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China; and Key Laboratory of Birth Defects and Related Diseases of Women and Children, Ministry of Education, NHC Key Laboratory of Chronobiology, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China

DOI: https://doi.org/10.29219/fnr.v70.13933

Keywords: Vitamin D, supplementation, lower urinary tract symptoms, meta-analysis

Abstract

Background: Lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) are highly prevalent and impact quality of life. While vitamin D insufficiency is a major public health concern. This study systematically investigated the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and LUTS, and the effects of supplementation on outcomes.

Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies from Web of Science, PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Library up to September 2025. Pooled Weighted mean difference (WMD) and Odds Ratios (ORs), along with their 95% confidence intervals (CI) were calculated using the random-effects model. Sensitivity analysis was conducted to examine the robustness of the results.

Results: A total of 48 studies (221,735 participants) were included. Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in individuals with LUTS than in controls (WMD: −3.15, 95% CI: −4.65, −1.66). Low vitamin D levels were associated with a 67% increased risk of LUTS (95% CI: 1.31, 2.12). Subgroup analyses confirmed these associations among men and children but not among women. Vitamin D supplementation significantly promoted LUTS remission, particularly among individuals with low baseline serum vitamin D concentrations (OR: 9.02, 95% CI: 2.94, 27.62), but did not reduce LUTS incidence in the general population (OR: 0.98, 95% CI: 0.91, 1.05).

Conclusions: Serum vitamin D levels are significantly associated with LUTS, particularly among men and children. Vitamin D supplementation may alleviate LUTS symptoms in individuals with low vitamin D levels, but it is not currently supported as a preventive measure for LUTS in the general population due to insufficient evidence.

Registration: Prospero registration no. CRD42025630727.

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