Research Summary

Analyzed using Evidence Intelligence™

Vitamin D supplementation may improve musculoskeletal pain in pregnant women

Key finding

There was a statistically significant difference in serum vitamin D level (P=0.016)

This study investigated the impact of vitamin D supplementation on fasting blood glucose levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes, finding no significant effect on glucose levels.

Evidence strength

Moderate confidence

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Some Concerns bias

Last updated July 6, 2026

Quick read

Study at a glance

The essential study design details in one scan.

Population

Young Adult (19–39), Middle Aged (40-64), Female, Asia-Pacific (APAC), with Gestational Diabetes

Intervention

Vitamin D supplementation

Study type

RCTs

Follow-up

Medium-Term (3–12 mo)

Primary outcome

Fasting blood glucose (FBG)

Comparator

Placebo tablets

Plain-language summary

What this paper says

A plain-language read of the study's main message and where it applies.

Study focus

This study investigated the impact of vitamin D supplementation on fasting blood glucose levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes, finding no significant effect on glucose levels.

Clinical relevance

Understanding the effects of vitamin D supplementation in pregnant women with gestational diabetes is crucial for developing effective management strategies. Although vitamin D improved serum levels, the lack of impact on fasting blood glucose suggests that additional interventions may be necessary to manage this condition effectively.

Keep in mind

Limited sample size may affect generalizability Short duration of supplementation could limit long-term effects Potential unmeasured confounders not accounted for

Published in

Journal Reference

Publication details and source links for this paper.

Zahra M, Sakineh M, Elnaz S, Shamsi A, Mojgan M. The effect of vitamin D supplementation on fasting blood glucose levels in pregnant women with gestational diabetes. BMC Endocrine Disorders. 2022;22:254. doi:10.1186/s12902-022-01159-4

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Main Effects

No significant change in fasting blood glucose (P=0.850)

Significant increase in serum vitamin D levels (P=0.016)

Significant differences in knee pain (P=0.025) and ankle pain (P<0.001)

Evidence network

How this study fits

Understand where this research contributes within the broader evidence network.

Evidence Context

This study contributes evidence to Vitamin D supplementation and Ankle pain, Blood glucose, Depression score, and 7 more.

This study contributes evidence to

Intervention

Vitamin D supplementation

Outcome

Ankle pain

Evidence topic

Insulin Resistance

Primary intervention

Vitamin D supplementation

Primary outcomes

Ankle pain
Blood glucose
Depression score

Evidence topics

Insulin Resistance Supplements and Nutraceuticals Glycemic Control

Primary intervention

Vitamin D supplementation

Primary outcomes

Ankle pain Blood glucose Depression score

Evidence relationships

Intervention and outcome relationships this study adds to the evidence network.

Evidence pairs

Relationships

Evidence topics

contributes_evidence

Editorial context

Why this study matters

See why this paper is useful beyond its individual results.

Evidence network role

This section describes how the study fits into the current evidence network. It does not determine whether an intervention works on its own.

Moderate contributionModerate confidenceNetwork score: 68

Why it is useful

Contributes to 10 evidence relationships
Includes primary outcome data
Linked to 3 direct semantic evidence topics

Topic contributions

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Contributes evidence

Evidence topic

Vitamin D supplementation → Serum concentration of vitamin D

Evidence profile

StrongIncreaseMetabolic Health

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Evidence Suggest

No change in fasting blood glucose levels (P=0.850)
Significant increase in serum vitamin D levels (P=0.016)
Significant reduction in knee and ankle pain

Who this applies to

Pregnant women diagnosed with gestational diabetes
Women in their second or third trimester of pregnancy

Keep in Mind

Results may not apply to populations outside the study demographics
The study did not assess long-term effects of vitamin D supplementation
Findings should be interpreted with caution due to the lack of significant changes in key metabolic outcomes

Between the Lines

Limited sample size may affect generalizability
Short duration of supplementation could limit long-term effects
Potential unmeasured confounders not accounted for

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Connected Evidence

Explore related studies, evidence collections, and research questions.

Relationships organized using the Dediabetes Evidence Intelligence™ framework.

This study contributes to evidence on Vitamin D supplementation and Serum concentration of vitamin D, Vitamin D supplementation and Ankle pain.

Related evidence relationships

Explore in Evidence Archive

This study contributes to the evidence on the following intervention-outcome relationships.

Vitamin D supplementationSerum concentration of vitamin D

Supplements

4 studies

Detailed evidence

Vitamin D supplementationAnkle pain

Supplements

1 studies

Detailed evidence

Included in these evidence collections

Curated evidence collections and hubs this study is part of.

Serum concentration of vitamin D Evidence Hub

All studies measuring Serum concentration of vitamin D

4 studies

outcome_hub

Measures Serum concentration of vitamin D as a key outcome.

Vitamin D supplementation Evidence Hub

All studies on Vitamin D supplementation

4 studies

intervention_hub

Contributes to Vitamin D supplementation evidence base.

Ankle pain Evidence Hub

All studies measuring Ankle pain

1 studies

outcome_hub

Measures Ankle pain as a key outcome.

Generated from the study's connected evidence using Evidence Intelligence™.

Does Vitamin D supplementation improve serum concentration of vitamin d?

Moderate Evidence

Vitamin D supplementation appears to improve Serum concentration of vitamin D.

ConsensusScore™: Results are consistent across studies.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Serum concentration of vitamin D
EvidenceScore™ Moderate | EvidenceScore™ 61.9 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Consistent | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Population details are unavailable.

View Full Evidence

Does Vitamin D supplementation improve ankle pain?

Emerging Evidence

Vitamin D supplementation appears to improve Ankle pain.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Ankle pain
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

View Full Evidence

Does Vitamin D supplementation improve knee pain?

Emerging Evidence

Vitamin D supplementation appears to improve Knee pain.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Knee pain
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

View Full Evidence

Does Vitamin D supplementation improve leg pain?

Emerging Evidence

Vitamin D supplementation appears to improve Leg pain.

ConsensusScore™: Consistency cannot yet be determined from the available evidence.

Ranked evidence signals

1
Leg pain
EvidenceScore™ Emerging | EvidenceScore™ 51.7 | strong positive | ConsensusScore™ Unclear | 1 study

Why this answer: This answer is based on a single supporting study.

Limitations

Only one supporting study is available.
Consistency cannot yet be determined.
Population details are unavailable.

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Next steps

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Evidence topics

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Insulin Resistance Evidence Hub Supplements and Nutraceuticals Evidence Hub Glycemic Control Evidence Hub

Explore in archive

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All studies on Vitamin D supplementation and Serum concentration of vitamin D All studies on Vitamin D supplementation and Blood glucose All studies on Vitamin D supplementation and Fasting insulin levels All studies on Vitamin D supplementation and Insulin resistance

Related research

Read related research summaries.

Vitamin D may reduce inflammation in type 2 diabetes Vitamin D supplementation reduces neonatal birth weight in gestational diabetes High-dose vitamin D3 does not improve insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes Vitamin C may reduce oxidative stress in type 2 diabetes patients.Vitamin D supplementation shows little effect on glycemic control in type 2 diabetes

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