Evaluation of Vitamin D Levels in Patients Presenting Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Pain at a Tertiary Care Hospital: A Cross Sectional Study

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D insufficiency affects nearly 50% of the population worldwide. vitamin D deficiency involve the musculoskeletal system leading to proximal muscle weakness, bone pain, and osteomalacia which is largely unrecognized by both physicians and patients. The early detection of deficiency plays important role to prevent those diseases. The aim of the study is to find to evaluate the association of chronic low back pain with levels of vitamin D in the affected population. Methods: This observational study was carried out from January 2021 to December 2021 at a tertiary care hospital. Patients aged 18 years and above presenting with non-specific complaints of general body pain/back pain/tiredness/weakness on working and walking with no other symptoms such as injury or known medical illness and no relief of the pain symptoms with routine treatments with analgesics and rest and physiotherapy were screened for Vitamin D levels. Results: Out of 580 patients tested, 478 (82.4%) of the study population had below-normal vitamin D, of the 49.1% had deficiency, 33.3% had insufficiency and 17.5% had sufficient vitamin D level. The proportion of patients Vitamin D deficiency is higher in the age group 30-59 whereas insufficiency was higher in the age group 20-39 compared to other age groups and it was found statically significant. Conclusion: Importance has to be given to adequate vitamin D supplementation in the patents vitamin D deficiency.