Frequency of Vitamin D Deficiency with Non-Specific Musculoskeletal Symptoms in Female Patients

Abstract

Objective: To determine frequency of vitamin D deficiency in female patients presenting with non-specific musculoskeletal symptoms.Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional.Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted in Medical Outpatient Department (OPD), Combined Military Hospital (CMH) Quetta from 30th November 2018 to 30th May 2019.Materials and Methods: A total of 150 female patients with nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms were included. Patients on vitamin D supplements, osteopenia, osteoporosis, chronic kidney disease, neuropathies, cancers, diabetes mellitus, iron and Vitamin B12 deficiency were excluded. Data including gender, age and presence of bone pain, muscle aches, bone tenderness and fracture was collected. SPSS v 17 was used for data analysis. Chi-square test was applied to test for associations, p value less than 0.05 was taken as significant.Results: The mean age was 37.20 + 13.30 years. Mean Vitamin D levels were 14.89 + 7.76 ng/ml with range from 3.10 to 35.67ng/ml. Participants with vitamin D3 < 10 ng/ml were 24% (n=36), < 20 ng/ml were 54% (n= 81), <30 ng/ml were 12 % (n=18) and only 10 % (n= 15) had optimal Vitamin D3 levels. Among the study population 82% (n=123) had bone pains, 88.6% (n=33) had muscle aches and weakness, 72.66% (n=109) had bone tenderness while only 4% (n=6) had fractures. There was a statistically significant association between symptoms and vitamin D3 deficiency with p value <0.001.Conclusion: This study showed that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in our female populationand it presents with nonspecific musculoskeletal symptoms.

Vitamin D and musculoskeletal health: outstanding aspects to be considered in the light of current evidence

“…In addition to action on the prevention of fractures and falls, researchers have sought to investigate the influence of vitamin D levels on physical performance and injury (78,79,80,81).…”

“…In addition to the action on the prevention of fractures and falls, researchers have sought to investigate the influence of vitamin D levels on physical performance and injury ( 78 , 79 , 80 , 81 ). The main hypothesis is that a low level of serum vitamin D might directly affect muscle strength and performance.…”