Serum Vitamin D Concentration Is Lower in Patients with Tinnitus: A Meta-Analysis of Observational Studies.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

Tinnitus is a highly prevalent and frequently disabling condition, such that the identification of possible causal mechanisms would yield significant clinical and social benefits. Since vitamin D (Vit D) is involved in the pathogenesis of several ear disturbances, we review here the current scientific literature addressing the relationship between Vit D status and tinnitus.

METHODS:

An electronic search was conducted in PubMed, Scopus and Web of Science with the keywords "tinnitus" and "Vitamin D" or "Vit D" or "25OH-D" or "cholecalciferol" or "ergocalciferol" or "hydroxycholecalciferol", without date (i.e., up to 8 February 2023) or language restrictions, in accordance with a protocol based on the transparent reporting of systematic reviews and meta-analysis (PRISMA) 2020 checklist, for identifying studies which assayed serum Vit D concentration in patients with or without tinnitus.

RESULTS:

Three observational, case-control studies encompassing four cohorts and totaling 468 patients with (n = 268) or without tinnitus (n = 200) were included in this meta-analysis. Pooled analysis with quality effects models evidenced significantly reduced serum Vit D levels in patients with tinnitus compared to those without (weighted mean difference [WMD], -6.2 ng/mL; 95% CI, -10.3 to -2.1 ng/mL; I2, 56%). Serum Vit D was found to be 22% lower in patients with tinnitus compared to those without.

CONCLUSIONS:

Lower serum Vit D levels may be associated with tinnitus, thus paving the way to plan future trials aimed at exploring whether Vit D supplementation may aid in preventing and/or improving tinnitus.

• Authors: Riccardo Nocini, Brandon M Henry, Camilla Mattiuzzi, Giuseppe Lippi
• Journal: Diagnostics (Basel, Switzerland) (Diagnostics (Basel)) Vol. 13 Issue 6 (Mar 08 2023) ISSN: 2075-4418 [Print] Switzerland
• PMID: 36980345 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Review)