Abstract

A STUDY OF VITAMIN D LEVELS IN CHRONIC MUSCLE AND BONE PAINS

Dr. A. Sujatha Rani*

Abstract

Aim: Rickets and Osteomalacia are well known manifestations of vitamin D deficiency in children and adults respectively. These symptoms can be considered the tip of the iceberg in vitamin D deficiency. Vitamin D is critical in maintaining calcium-phosphorous homeostasis and to maintain healthy status of bone and muscle. The purpose of this study is to establish the relation between vitamin D deficiency and generalized muscle pains, bone pains and joint pains in the absence of disease. Our study included two groups, cases in the age group of 20-70 years with symptoms and healthy controls who were relieved of symptoms after vitamin D supplementation for a period of 3 months with different vitamin D dosage modules. Our results revealed low levels of vitamin D in cases correlates with symptoms when compared to the control group who were free of symptoms after vitamin D supplementation. From our results we have established that there is a clear correlation between vitamin D deficiency and muscle, bone and joint pains. Absence of such symptoms in patients who were treated with vitamin D confirms the effectiveness of vitamin D in the treatment of generalized muscle, bone and joint pains. Hence we assume that vitamin D estimation in patients presenting with complaints of generalized muscle, bone and joint pains might help in the management of vitamin D deficiency condition. Our study concludes with the need for vitamin D supplementation in cases to relieve symptoms of generalized muscle, bone and joint pains. As vitamin D is a fat soluble vitamin the dosage given should be monitored by serum vitamin D levels to avoid toxicity.

Keywords: Vitamin D deficiency, generalized muscle, bone and joint pains, vitamin D supplementation.