Hypovitaminosis D-induced pain.
Vitamin D deficiency is a problem of considerable magnitude that has reemerged as a major public health issue in the United States and several other developed countries. Vitamin D plays a crucial role in calcium homeostasis in the body. Hypovitaminosis D leads to osteomalacia and increased risk of fractures, especially in the elderly. Preliminary research suggests that vitamin D can prevent certain types of cancer and autoimmune diseases. A recent large study has shown the association between severe hypovitaminosis D and persistent, non-specific musculoskeletal pain, further suggesting that patients with no apparent cause of pain should be assessed and possibly treated for vitamin D deficiency.
Mascarenhas
Ranjan
R
Department of Internal Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, IL 60153, USA.
Mobarhan
Sohrab
S
D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D003906:Developing Countries; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000209:etiology; D006801:Humans; D010018:Osteomalacia / Q000209:etiology; D010146:Pain / Q000209:etiology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000378:metabolism / Q000503:physiopathology*
D014807:Vitamin D; D002118:Calcium