Relationship between vitamin D deficiency and musculoskeletal pain in postmenopausal women

Abstract

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin D deficiency on the appearance of musculoskeletal pain seen in postmenopausal women. Material and Methods: The study consisted of 130 patients in the postmenopausal period and 50 healthy volunteers. Patients and control group were assessed with demographic information and visual analogue scale (VAS) and pain scores. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 (OH) D), estradiol (E2) calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and parathormone (PTH) levels were evaluated. Results: The mean age of the subjects participating in the study was 51.03 +/- 4.22 and the control group was 48.27 +/- 5.47 years. Serum 25 (OH) D level was significantly lower in the patient group than in the control group. There was no difference between the two groups in calcium, phosphorus, ALP and PTH levels. The VAS pain score used to assess pain status was significantly higher in the patient group than in the control group (p<0.001). VAS pain scores in Postmenopausal patients were significantly higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency and inadequate than those with adequate vitamin D levels. In patients group serum 25(OH) D were negatively correlated with age, body mass index and VAS score and positively correlated with exercise and E2. Conclusion: The increase in pain intensity in postmenopausal patients is associated with a decrease in serum 25 (OH) D levels. Moreover, we believe that 25 (OH) D levels are more common in patients with lower levels of the lower extremities and that serum 25 (OH) D may play a role in determining the severity of musculoskeletal pain.