Literature search was carried out in electronic databases, and study selection followed predetermined eligibility criteria. Data were extracted from relevant studies and meta-analyses of standardized mean differences between hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency) and euvitaminosis D in assessment scores of patient-reported outcomes were performed.
A total of 12 studies (2,593 patients; age 69.89 years [95% CI 68.07-71.70]; 35.95% [29.43-42.46] males) were included in the meta-analysis. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D (vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency) was 33.18% [25.10-41.26], but the combined prevalence of deficiency and insufficiency was 46.99 [34.02-59.96]. Hospital stay was 1.09 days [-0.39 to 2.56] longer in the hypovitaminosis D group compared to the euvitaminosis D group. Preoperatively, Harris Hip Score (HHS) and Knee Society Score were significantly lower (p = 0.001 and p = 0.00001, respectively) in the hypovitaminosis D group than in the euvitaminosis D group. Postoperatively, HHS (p = 0.004) score was significantly lower in the hypovitaminosis D group than in the euvitaminosis D group.
The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D is high in osteoarthritis patients undergoing knee or hip surgery. Vitamin D deficiency may affect the outcomes of orthopedic joint surgery. However, randomized trial/s will be required to confirm these findings.