Abstract
Background: Chronic lower back pain is precisely a distressing condition not only because of associated physical debilitation but the psychological hassle as well. Along with various etiological factors, low vitamin D levels in the body is also a significant cause of this ailment. This study focuses on monitoring the effect of Vitamin D repletion on intensity of chronic (non-traumatic) lower back pain.
 Methodology: This longitudinal-prospective analysis was conducted upon a sample of 374 lower back pain patients presenting with vitamin D deficiency from February to October 2018. Inquiries were made regarding basic socio-demographics, history of chronic lower back pain, dietary and medicinal supplement usage, hours of sun exposure and pain levels, assessed using a Visual Analogue Scale (VAS). The vitamin D levels and the VAS pain score were assessed upon baseline visit to the orthopedic out-patient department and followed up after 2 months (1st follow up visit) and 6 months (2nd follow up visit). Data obtained was analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 and Microsoft Excel 2013.
 Results: Among the 374 respondents, 52.67% were males while 47.33% were females with the mean age of 47.5 years. The mean baseline (pre-intervention) vitamin D levels were found to be 10.3 ng/ml, which raised significantly to 34.3 ng/ml. The mean (pre-intervention) VAS score dropped significantly, from 81.9 at baseline visit to 31.4 at 2nd follow up visit.
 Conclusion: It is concluded that vitamin D repletion has a marked impact on reducing the intensity of chronic lower back pain. Future studies may confirm further to validate the findings of this research.
Highlights
Back pain is the one of the most reported pain followed by headache, burdening healthcare industry globally
Numerous factors have been deemed responsible in the vast etiology of lower back pain, one among which is low vitamin D levels in the body[5]
This research is a step forward in the direction, exploring the association of two aforementioned conditions; hypovitaminosis and chronic lower back pain, as the goal through this research is to determine whether correcting vitamin D deficiency by repletion leads to any improvement. This prospective cohort study was conducted upon a sample 374 lower back pain patients presenting with vitamin D deficiency at Indus Medical College, Tando Muhammad Khan (TMK) from February to October 2018
Summary
Back pain is the one of the most reported pain followed by headache, burdening healthcare industry globally. The belief that chronic lower back may be a result of vitamin D deficiency is strengthened by many instances of co-occurrence of the two conditions, further research is required yet to establish a clear causality5&6. Deficiency of vitamin D has long been associated with chronic musculoskeletal pain and pain in the lower back. A heightened incidence (up to eighty-three percent) of vitamin D deficiency is reported among chronic lower back pain sufferers and comparison of vitamin D levels fall short in the general populace5&6. This study focuses on monitoring the effect of Vitamin D repletion on intensity of chronic (non-traumatic) lower back pain. The mean (pre-intervention) VAS score dropped significantly, from 81.9 at baseline visit to 31.4 at 2nd follow up visit. Future studies may confirm further to validate the findings of this research
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callMore From: International Journal of Endorsing Health Science Research
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
