Vitamin D in the Transition from Acute to Chronic Pain: A Systematic Review.

Diana Marisol Abrego-Guandique, Maria Cristina Caroleo, Roberto Cannataro, Sara Ilari, Lucia Carmela Passacatini, Erika Cione, Saverio Nucera, Luca Gallelli, Carolina Muscoli, Vincenzo Mollace

Journal: Nutrients 2025;17(11):

PMID: 40507180

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Abstract

BACKGROUND

The transition from acute to chronic pain is an important clinical phenomenon that significantly impacts the healthcare system. Despite decades of research, preventing this transition remains a complex challenge. Many studies have explored the various factors that contribute to the development of chronic pain, but the underlying mechanisms are still largely unclear. In this frame, vitamin D (VD) plays an important role in pain mechanism development, with emerging evidence suggesting it influences pain perception, inflammation, and nerve function.

METHODS

A total of 14 eligible original research articles were identified.

RESULTS

Our qualitative analysis showed that VD did not directly influence the transition from acute to chronic pain, but it affected pain intensity, improving outcomes in patients at risk of developing chronic pain.

CONCLUSIONS

Additional randomized clinical trials, particularly double-blind, placebo-controlled studies, which are regarded as the gold standard in clinical research, are warranted to evaluate the role of vitamin D in the progression from acute to chronic pain.

Address: Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.; Department for the Promotion of Human Sciences and Quality of Life, San Raffaele Roma University, 00166 Rome, Italy.; Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Pain, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy.; Department of Health Sciences, Institute of Research for Food Safety and Health (IRC-FSH), University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.; Laboratory of Physiology and Pharmacology of Pain, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy.; Department of Pharmacy, Health and Nutritional Sciences, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy.; Galascreen Laboratories, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy.; Galascreen Laboratories, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy.; Research Division, Dynamical Business & Science Society, DBSS International SAS, Bogota 110311, Colombia.; Operative Unit of Pharmacology and Pharmacovigilance, "Renato Dulbecco" University Hospital, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.; Research Center FAS@UMG, Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.; Department of Health Sciences, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.; Galascreen Laboratories, University of Calabria, 87036 Rende, Italy.; Research Center FAS@UMG, Department of Health Science, University "Magna Graecia" of Catanzaro, 88100 Catanzaro, Italy.

DOI: 10.3390/nu17111912

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https://medlineplus.gov/vitamind.html

MeSH Terms: Humans, Vitamin D, Chronic Pain, Acute Pain, Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic