The Role of Vitamin D in the Management of Chronic Pain in Fibromyalgia: A Narrative Review

Abstract

Introduction Fibromyalgia (FM) is a complex disorder characterized primarily by chronic, widespread musculoskeletal pain. Currently, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved the use of three medications to treat FM: pregabalin, duloxetine, and milnacipran. The pharmaceutical intervention has lacked consistent pain relief among all patients. Therefore, the investigation into alternative treatment options has grown in interest. This narrative review aims to evaluate the evidence regarding vitamin D for the treatment of FM. Methods Narrative review. Results Low serum vitamin D has been linked to various chronic pain states. An association between vitamin D deficiency and FM has been reported but is controversial in the literature. Some studies have documented the beneficial effects of vitamin D supplementation on reducing pain symptoms and improving the overall quality of life in those with FM. Despite these positive findings, many of the studies regarding this topic lack adequate power to make substantial conclusions about the effects of vitamin D on FM. Conclusion Existing studies provide promising results. However, additional high-quality data on vitamin D supplementation is needed before recommendations for pain management can be made. Vitamin D supplementation is inexpensive, has minimal side effects, and can benefit FM patients regardless of its efficacy in pain control. Additionally, high-quality studies are warranted to fully elucidate the potential of vitamin D to manage chronic pain in FM.