Volume 29, Issue 161, July 2025

The Association of Vitamin D with Rheumatic Diseases: A Review

Kinga Erazmus^1♦, Karolina Jałocha², Kinga Świtała³, Patrycja Pysz³, Roksana Hrapkowicz¹, Maria Mroczka³, Agnieszka Czernecka⁴, Marek Borecki², Dominik Tomczak⁵, Justyna Kuciel⁵

¹Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-820 Kraków, Poland
²Karol Marcinkowski University Hospital, Zyty 26, 65-046 Zielona Góra, Poland
³V Military Hospital with Polyclinic, Wrocławska 1-3, 30-901 Kraków, Poland
⁴Hospital of the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Administration, Kronikarza Galla 25, 30-053 Kraków, Poland
⁵Chrzanów District Hospital, Topolowa 16, 32-500 Chrzanów, Poland

^♦Corresponding author
Kinga Erazmus, Ludwik Rydygier Specialist Hospital, Os. Złotej Jesieni 1, 31-820 Kraków, Poland

ABSTRACT

Vitamin D is a steroid hormone that exerts multidirectional effects due to the widespread expression of the vitamin D receptor (VDR) across various tissues. One of its most notable extra-skeletal roles is its ability to modulate immune system function. The objective of this review is to summarize current scientific evidence regarding the connection between vitamin D deficiency in the body and the onset or exacerbation of rheumatic diseases. Observational studies have established an association between low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and increased severity of rheumatic diseases. However, the benefits of vitamin D supplements in treating these conditions are still unclear. Some evidence suggests that vitamin D may help alleviate symptoms. It may also help prevent complications, especially those related to bone health. A review of the available data indicates that vitamin D may alleviate symptoms of the underlying conditions. Furthermore, it appears to be beneficial in preventing systemic manifestations of rheumatic diseases, particularly those affecting the skeletal system. Due to observed interindividual differences in response to vitamin D supplementation, the optimal serum 25(OH)D level remains a subject of ongoing debate.

Keywords: rheumatic diseases, vitamin D, 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Medical Science, 2025, 29, e102ms3586

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DOI: https://doi.org/10.54905/disssi.v29i161.e102ms3586

Published: 09 July 2025