Abstract
To determine the number of patients with low back pain who have low serum Vitamin-D levels in our local population and the clinical efficacy of Vitamin-D supplementation on VAS and MODQ scores
This Prospective cohort study was conducted from 20th March 2016 to 19th March 2017. 600 patients were included in the study who met the inclusion criteria, i.e. patients presenting to the Out Patient Department (OPD) with low back pain for a duration of less than six months aged between 15 to 55 years. Venous blood withdrawn and serum levels of Vitamin-D measured. According to serum Vitamin-D levels, categorized as deficient, sufficient or excess. Those having deficient Vitamin-D levels (< 2 0 ng/dL) were given Vitamin-D supplementation as Oral 50,000 IU Vitamin-D3 daily for 05 days, then once weekly for 08 weeks while those having insufficient levels (20–30 ng/dL) given Oral 50,000 IU Vitamin-D3 once weekly for 08 weeks. Vitamin-D levels, Visual Analog Pain Scale (VAS) and Modified Oswestry Disability Questionnaire (MODQ) scoring done at baseline, 02, 03 and 06 months. Data analyzed using SPSS version 23.
Mean age of patients included in the study 44.21 ± 11.92 years. Out of the total, 337 (56.17%) were males and 263 (43.83%) females. Out of the total, 20.67%, 26.17% and 28.83% had mild, moderate and severe Vitamin-D deficiency, respectively. Predominantly patients with severe Vitamin-D deficiency presented in winters (October – February) (17.16%) as compared to other seasons. The most pre-dominant risk factor in patients with low Vitamin-D levels was smoking (21.33%). Mean baseline Vitamin-D levels were 13.32 ± 6.10 ng/dL and after supplementation these levels improved to 37.18 ± 11.72 ng/dL. VAS score improved from a mean baseline value to 81 to 36 at 6 months (p < 0 .01). Likewise, MODQ score decreased from a baseline mean of 46 to 25 at 6 months (p < 0 .01)
Vitamin D plays a crucial role in the musculoskeletal framework of the body. The deficiency is more prevalent in the youth due to sedentary lifestyle and indoor preference. Improvement in pain & functional disability with Vitamin-D supplementation
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