title: Vitamin D deficiency and otosclerosis.
abstract: A prospective study of 47 patients with otosclerosis was undertaken to investigate the possible etiologic role of vitamin D undernutrition. The population comprised 27 women and 20 men, with a mean age of 46.4 years (range 21 to 79). The disease was bilateral in 43 patients, and cochlear involvement was present in 84.4%. The mean duration of symptoms was 17.1 years. Vitamin D status was evaluated by measuring the plasma 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 (25-OHD), which is the main storage metabolite. Abnormally low 25-OHD levels were found in 10 patients (21.7%) and borderline low levels in another two. Raised serum alkaline phosphatase levels were present in 32.6%, calcium in 6.5%, and inorganic phosphate in 4.3%. Calcium and vitamin D replacement therapy resulted in significant hearing improvement in 3 of 16 patients; these data support a causal correlation. Vitamin D deficiency is probably a factor in the etiology of some cases of otosclerosis and is important, since the deafness resulting from cochlear involvement may be reversible.
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase / Q000097:blood; D000818:Animals; D001301:Audiometry, Pure-Tone; D002112:Calcifediol / Q000097:blood; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010040:Otosclerosis / Q000201:enzymology / Q000209:etiology* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000473:pathology; D011446:Prospective Studies; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000378:metabolism; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000150:complications* / Q000209:etiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; D000469:Alkaline Phosphatase; D002112:Calcifediol