Chronic Rhinosinusitis is treated with Vitamin D, but the benefits stop 3 months after supplementation stops (no surprise) - meta-analysis
Vitamin D Status and Supplementation in Chronic Rhinosinusitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
Review Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 2026 Mar 3. doi: 10.1002/ohn.70182 PDF behind paywall
Objectives: To investigate the relationship between vitamin D (VD) levels and chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), and to evaluate the therapeutic efficacy of VD supplementation for CRS.
Data sources: Two independent reviewers systematically searched PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library to identify studies that assessed the association between CRS and VD, as well as the therapeutic effects of VD supplementation on CRS outcomes.
Review methods: Meta-analyses were conducted to compare VD levels between CRS patients and controls and to evaluate the efficacy of VD supplementation. Random- or fixed-effects models were applied as appropriate. Sensitivity and subgroup analyses were performed to investigate potential sources of heterogeneity.
Results: A pooled analysis of 15 studies showed significantly lower serum VD levels in CRS patients compared to controls (SMD = -0.98; P < .001). Both 25(OH)D3 and 25(OH)D assays showed lower VD levels in CRS patients (SMD = -1.24, P < .001 vs SMD = -0.77, P < .001). Subgroup analyses also revealed consistent reductions in both CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP; SMD = -1.05; P < .001) and CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP; SMD = -1.02; P < .001). Moreover, four randomized controlled trials indicated that VD supplementation significantly improved Sino-Nasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) scores at <3 months (MD = -1.44; P = .001); however, this benefit was not maintained at ≥3 months (MD = -6.52; P = .12).
Conclusions: CRS patients show significantly lower serum VD levels than healthy controls. VD supplementation may provide short-term symptomatic improvement, although its long-term efficacy remains unproven.
Comparison of chronic rhinosinusitis, hay fever and the common cold,
Key distinctions at a glance
| Feature | CRS | Hay Fever | Common Cold |
|---|---|---|---|
| Duration | 12+ weeks | Seasonal/ongoing | ~7–10 days |
| Cause | Inflammatory/infectious | Allergen (IgE) | Viral |
| Sinuses involved | Yes | Not primarily | Occasionally |
| Contagious | No | No | Yes |
| Itchy eyes | Rare | Common | Rare |
Chronic Rhinosinusitis (CRS) is a persistent inflammation of the nasal passages and sinuses lasting 12 weeks or longer, despite treatment attempts. It's characterized by symptoms like facial pressure/pain, thick nasal discharge, reduced sense of smell, and nasal obstruction. It may involve nasal polyps and can have infectious, inflammatory, or immune-related causes.
Hay Fever (Allergic Rhinitis) is an allergic response to airborne triggers like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. It's driven by IgE-mediated immune reactions and typically causes itchy eyes, sneezing, and watery discharge. It is not an infection and not a sinus condition per se — it affects the nasal mucosa but not necessarily the sinuses. However, uncontrolled allergic rhinitis can contribute to developing CRS over time.
The Common Cold is an acute viral infection (most often rhinovirus) that typically resolves within 7–10 days. It's self-limiting, contagious, and does not involve the sinuses in the same chronic way — though a cold can occasionally trigger acute sinusitis as a complication.
Interestingly, vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased susceptibility to all three conditions — through its roles in immune regulation, mucosal barrier integrity, and antimicrobial peptide production — which may be relevant to your VitaminDWiki research.
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