Bone Abstracts

Introduction and aims: Deficiency of vitamin D has been reported in subjects with many types of musculoskeletal pain. The aim of the present study was to determine the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and nonspecific skeletal pain in healthy Saudi women.

Methods: Serum 25(OH)D were measured for 223 healthy women with nonspecific skeletal pain at different regions of the skeletal system including back pain. Serum 25(OH)D was measured by direct competitive chemiluminescence immunoassay using LIASON autoanalyzer (DiaSorin, Inc., Stillwater, MN, USA). Pain information was obtained through a designed questionnaire showing the area and the intensity of pain based on a rating scale from none to severe pain.

Results and discussion: A total of 77% of women had vitamin D deficiency with serum 25(OH)D <50 nmol/l. A significant negative correlation was found between back pain (r=−0.185; P<0.025), bone pain (r=−0.140; P<0.036), daily living activity (r=−0.140; P<0.037), and total pain (back, bone, and muscle) (r=−0.143; P<0.033) and serum 25(OH)D. No differences were seen in age and BMI. Women with lower back pain (n=137) were found to have a lower 25(OH)D levels than women with no pain (n=86) 25(OH)D 32.5 (S.D. 21.1) nmol/l vs 51.6 (S.D. 34.5) nmol/l) respectively, although not statistically significant (P<0.08).

Conclusion: These data indicate a positive association of vitamin D deficiency with a variety of non-specific bone pain. More studies with larger samples are required to confirm these findings. Increasing serum vitamin D to sufficient levels and longitudinal follow-up of subjects may provide further evidence in relation to vitamin D deficiency and skeletal pain.