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Vitamin D levels and the risk of overactive bladder: a systematic review and meta-analysis
Qiang Zhang1,2,3, Zhicheng Zhang1,2,3, Xueyu He1,2,3
1Department of Urology, Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University, Chongqing, People's Republic of China.
Context:
Overactive bladder is treated mainly with behavioral and drug therapy, and symptoms of urinary frequency and incontinence are challenging to eliminate. There is thus a continuous unmet need for new drugs with a substitution effect mechanism.
Objective:
It not known whether vitamin D deficiency can lead to overactive bladder or urinary incontinence or whether vitamin D supplementation alleviates bladder symptoms. This comprehensive systematic review with meta-analysis was conducted to determine whether overactive bladder is associated with vitamin D deficiency.
Data Sources:
The PubMed and Cochrane Library databases were searched systematically up to July 3, 2022.
Data Extraction:
Initially, 706 articles were identified in the literature search, of which 13 were included in the systematic review: 4 randomized controlled trials, 3 cohort studies, 3 cross-sectional studies, and 3 case-control studies.
Data Analysis:
An increased risk of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence was observed with vitamin D deficiency (odds ratio [OR] = 4.46; 95%CI, 1.03-19.33; P = 0.046 and OR = 1.30; 95%CI, 1.01-1.66; P = 0.036, respectively). Vitamin D levels were relatively low in patients with overactive bladder or urinary incontinence (SMD = -0.33; 95%CI, -0.61 to -0.06, P = 0.019). On the basis of existing data, the risk of urinary incontinence was reduced by 66% after vitamin D supplementation (OR = 0.34; 95%CI, 0.18-0.66; P = 0.001). Egger test was conducted to assess publication bias, and the results were tested for robustness using a sensitivity analysis.
Conclusions:
Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence, and vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of urinary incontinence. The development of new strategies to prevent or alleviate bladder symptoms is crucial. Vitamin D supplementation may be gaining recognition as an effective strategy for prevention or alleviation of bladder symptoms such as overactive bladder and incontinence.
Systematic Review Registration:
PROSPERO registration no. CRD42022351443.
Insights
Vitamin D deficiency is linked to a higher risk of overactive bladder and urinary incontinence. Supplementation with vitamin D can significantly reduce the risk of urinary incontinence, offering a potential new strategy for bladder symptom management.
Area of Science:
- Urology
- Nutritional Science
- Public Health
Background:
- Overactive bladder (OAB) and urinary incontinence present significant challenges in treatment, with current therapies often failing to fully eliminate symptoms.
- There is a persistent need for novel therapeutic agents that offer alternative mechanisms of action for managing bladder dysfunction.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency is a significant risk factor for developing overactive bladder and urinary incontinence.
- Vitamin D supplementation emerges as a promising strategy for reducing the incidence and severity of urinary incontinence.
- Further research and development of new strategies, including vitamin D supplementation, are crucial for effective prevention and management of bladder symptoms.
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