THE EFFECT OF VITAMIN D TREATMENT ON NEUROPATHIC PAIN AND FUNCTIONAL ACTIVITY IN PATIENTS WITH CARPAL TUNNEL SYNDROME

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deciency is a very common condition throughout the world and is known to be associated with many chronic systemic diseases. It has been shown to have neuroprotective effects in several studies. This study aimed to investigate the effect of vitamin D supplementation on pain, functional activity, and electrophysiological values in patients with carpal tunnel syndrome. Methods: This study included a total of 50 patients (72 wrists) with vitamin D deciency and mild CTS. Pre-treatment and posttreatment pain levels of the patients were measured using visual analog scale and painDETECT questionnaire whereas the Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire was used to assess the functional status. Furthermore, nerve conduction study was performed in all patients before and after treatment. Results: There was a signicant increase in post-treatment serum vitamin D levels compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). A statistically signicant decrease was observed in the visual analog scale, painDETECT, and Boston Carpal Tunnel Syndrome Questionnaire scores after treatment compared to pre-treatment (p<0.05). Median nerve distal sensory latency and distal motor latency values decreased signicantly after treatment (p<0.05). Post-treatment sensory action potential and sensory conduction velocity values increased signicantly compared to pre-treatment values (p<0.05). Conclusions: This study shows that vitamin D supplementation improves pain scores, functional activity, and more importantly, electrophysiological ndings in carpal tunnel syndrome cases.