Effect of vitamin D deficiency on spontaneous peritonitis in cirrhosis: a meta-analysis

INTRODUCTION: Few studies have reported the relationship between spontaneous peritonitis in cirrhosis and vitamin D, and the result is not very convincing. AIM: To conduct a meta-analysis to clarify the relationship between vitamin D and spontaneous peritonitis. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Articles published up to 1 October 2019 in the PubMed, Medline, and Embase databases were searched. According to the inclusion and exclusion criteria, relevant statistical data were extracted and analysed by STATA. RESULTS: Six articles met the inclusion criteria. It was demonstrated that the average 25(OH)D level in spontaneous peritonitis patients was 2.36 less than that in control individuals (SMD = –2.36, 95% CI: –3.92, –0.8, I(2) = 97.2%, p < 0.01). Moreover, it found that spontaneous peritonitis patients were 4.33 times more likely to be vitamin D deficient than controls (OR = 4.33, 95% CI: 1.57, 11.93, I(2) = 50.1%, p = 0.111). Sensitivity analysis showed that the meta-analysis results were stable and reliable. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D may be an importantly protective factor in spontaneous peritonitis.