title: A randomized double-blind placebo-controlled study adding high dose vitamin D to analgesic regimens in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The current mode of therapy for many patients with musculoskeletal pain is unsatisfactory.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the impact of adding 4000 IU of vitamin D on pain and serological parameters in patients with musculoskeletal pain.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a randomized, double-blinded and placebo-controlled study assessing the effect of 4000 IU of orally given vitamin D3 (cholecalciferol) (four gel capsules of 1000 IU, (SupHerb, Israel) vs. placebo on different parameters of pain. Eighty patients were enrolled and therapy was given for 3 months. Parameters were scored at three time points: prior to intervention, at week 6 and week 12. Visual analogue scale (VAS) scores of pain perception were recorded following 6 and 12 weeks. We also measured serum levels of leukotriene B4 (LTB4), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) by ELISA.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The group receiving vitamin D achieved a statistically significant larger decline of their VAS measurement throughout the study compared with the placebo group. The need for analgesic 'rescue therapy' was significantly lower among the vitamin D-treated group. TNFα levels decreased by 54.3% in the group treated with vitamin D and increased by 16.1% in the placebo group. PGE2 decreased by39.2% in the group treated with vitamin D and increased by 16% in the placebo group. LTB4 levels decreased in both groups by 24% (p < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding 4000 IU of vitamin D for patients with musculoskeletal pain may lead to a faster decline of consecutive VAS scores and to a decrease in the levels of inflammatory and pain-related cytokines.
authors: Department of Medicine 'B', Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors: O
authors: O
authors: Gendelman
authors: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Central Laboratory of Clalit Health Services, Tel-Aviv, Israel.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Itzhaki
authors: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Department of Anesthesiology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Makarov
authors: Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel Department of Anesthesiology, Meir Medical Center, Kfar Saba, Israel.
authors: M
authors: M
authors: Bennun
authors: Department of Medicine 'B', Sheba Medical Center, Tel Hashomer Sackler Faculty of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel hamital@netvision.net.il howard.amital@sheba.health.gov.il.
authors: H
authors: H
authors: Amital
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002762:Cholecalciferol / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D015232:Dinoprostone / Q000097:blood; D004311:Double-Blind Method; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015850:Interleukin-6 / Q000097:blood; D007557:Israel; D007975:Leukotriene B4 / Q000097:blood; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000188:drug therapy*; D010147:Pain Measurement / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha / Q000097:blood; D014815:Vitamins / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D015850:Interleukin-6; D014409:Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha; D014815:Vitamins; D002762:Cholecalciferol; D007975:Leukotriene B4; D015232:Dinoprostone
keywords: Low back pain; analgesia; musculoskeletal pain; pain; quality of life; vitamin D