VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN ADOLESCENTS PRESENTING WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Longjam Nilachandra; Longjam Darendrajit; Akoijam Joy Singh; Thingbaijam Bidyarani; Aten Jongkey; Shibu B; Vekholu Venyo; Kanti RK; Tripti S

Volume : V, Issue : IX, September - 2016

VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IN ADOLESCENTS PRESENTING WITH MUSCULOSKELETAL PAIN: A PROSPECTIVE STUDY

Longjam Nilachandra, Longjam Darendrajit, Akoijam Joy Singh, Thingbaijam Bidyarani, Aten Jongkey, Shibu B, Vekholu Venyo, Kanti Rk, Tripti S

Abstract :

Vitamin D is essential for maintaining calcium and phosphorus homeostasis, and optimizing bone health. The active form of vitamin D 1,25–dihydroxyvitamin D (1,25 [OH]2D) acts on specific nuclear receptors to increase calcium absorption from the small intestine and regulate bone turn over. Muscle weakness is also a prominent feature of vitamin D deficiency. Patients with nonspecific muscle weakness, muscle aches and pains have also been found with vitamin D inadequacy. Studies show conflicting results in the treatment of musculoskeletal pain with vitamin D. A cross–sectional study was conducted to assess the vitamin D deficiency in adolescents presenting with non–specific musculoskeletal pain at the out–patient department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, RIMS, Imphal, India. 72 patients in the age group 10 to 18 year presenting with non–specific musculoskeletal pain were included in the study. 25–hydroxyvitamin D (25–OHD) level was measured by chemiluminescence competitive immunoassay. Visual Analoque Scale (VAS) was used for quantification of musculoskeletal pain. Out of the 72 patients, 59%(42) of the patients had deficiency of 25–OHD, 33%(24) had insufficiency. The improvement in pain with oral vitamin D was found to be significant (p<0.05). There was no correlation between the serum 25–hydroxyvitamin D (25–OHD) level and VAS score (p>0.05). The study concluded that vitamin D deficiency in adolescents with non–specific musculoskeletal pain is common and the pain is not entirely due to Vit D deficiency and is likely affected by other factors such as abnormalities in molecular pathophysiology.