title: Complete resolution of sickle cell chronic pain with high dose vitamin D therapy: a case report and review of the literature.
abstract: With age, individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience daily chronic pain. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can result in chronic pain, osteoporosis, fractures, and muscle weakness. Several studies report a high prevalence of VDD in SCD; however, the clinical correlates have not been well described. We describe a case of SCD chronic pain associated with profound VDD, osteoporosis, and osteonecrosis. Treatment with high-dose vitamin D resulted in complete resolution of chronic pain symptoms and improvement in bone density. Randomized studies of vitamin D in SCD may help elucidate its role in the management of chronic pain and bone disease.
authors.affiliation: Aflac Center for Cancer and Blood Disorders Service Comprehensive Sickle Cell Program of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, Atlanta, GA, USA. ify.osunkwo@choa.org
authors.forename: Ifeyinwa
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Osunkwo
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000755:Anemia, Sickle Cell / Q000150:complications / Q000188:drug therapy*; D015519:Bone Density / Q000187:drug effects; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D005260:Female; D050723:Fractures, Bone / Q000188:drug therapy; D006801:Humans; D018908:Muscle Weakness / Q000188:drug therapy; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000188:drug therapy; D010146:Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000188:drug therapy*
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D