title: Decreased neuromuscular function in Crohn's disease patients is not associated with low serum vitamin D levels.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Neuromuscular fatigue is a common complaint in Crohn's disease (CD) patients. A correlation between serum vitamin D concentrations and neuromuscular function has been found in the elderly or non-ambulant populations.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to determine whether CD patients exhibit impaired neuromuscular function and if so, is there a link between vitamin D and neuromuscular function.
  
  
  METHODS
  Crohn's disease patients (n = 19) with at least one prior small bowel resection and matched controls (n = 19) underwent muscle strength and endurance testing, vitamin D, and nerve function analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Knee extension and flexion peak torque (Nm/kg) were greater in the control group than in the CD patients (P = 0.04 and 0.014, respectively. A significant difference was found between fatigue rates of the rectus femoris (P = 0.015) between CD patients and controls, but no difference was found in serum vitamin D levels between groups (P = 0.317). Knee extension and flexion torque measurements, with age as a covariate, were compared with high and low vitamin D levels. Those subjects with high serum vitamin D levels had a significantly greater extension peak torque (P = 0.045) and extension average torque (Nm/kg) (P = 0.014) than those with low levels.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Crohn's disease patients with sufficient vitamin D levels experienced a 43 % greater extension peak torque. Although vitamin D deficiency has been associated with neuromuscular dysfunction, there were no differences in serum vitamin D levels between the CD and healthy controls to explain the decreased muscle strength.
authors.affiliation: Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, 204 Anderson Hall, DeKalb, IL 60115, USA. asalacinski@niu.edu
authors.forename: Amanda J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: Salacinski
authors.forename: Miguel D
authors.initials: MD
authors.lastname: Regueiro
authors.forename: Craig E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Broeder
authors.forename: Jean L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: McCrory
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003424:Crohn Disease / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D005260:Female; D020233:Gait Disorders, Neurologic / Q000209:etiology / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D007537:Isometric Contraction / Q000502:physiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D009468:Neuromuscular Diseases / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000209:etiology* / Q000503:physiopathology*; D016138:Walking / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D