title: A Survey of Vitamin D Status in Patients with Degenerative Diseases of the Spine.
abstract: METHODS
  Descriptive cross-sectional study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with degenerative diseases of the spine about to undergo spinal surgery and the relations between such deficiency and potential risk factors.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  Vitamin D has a major role in musculoskeletal system health maintenance. Recently, studies on degenerative diseases of the spine have shown a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients undergoing spine surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum levels of 25(OH)D were determined by an electrochemiluminescence detection assay. The other variables were determined through relevant questionnaires, and the data was analyzed through analysis of variance,t-test, chi-square and multivariate logistic regression analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 110 patients were enrolled in the study. The mean serum level of 25(OH)D was 27.45±18.75 ng/mL, and 44.5% of patients showed vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D<20 ng/mL), with an additional 17.3% of patients having a serum level of 25(OH)D that was insufficient (20≤25(OH)D<30 ng/mL). The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher in the younger age group compared to the older age group (p<0.001) and the ones without a history of taking vitamin D supplements (p=0.013). Compared to men, women showed significantly higher levels of vitamin D (p=0.029).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency is seen in patients with degenerative diseases of the spine. On the other hand, the conventional risk factors such as old age or female sex alone did not seem to be sufficient in determining the likelihood of deficiency. Thus, it is recommended that vitamin D deficiency prevention strategies comprise a broader spectrum of the population through which such degenerative diseases and their consequences may be prevented or delayed.
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Farid
authors: F
authors: Zolfaghari
authors: Department of Neurosurgery, School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Alireza
authors: A
authors: Faridmoayer
authors: Department of Health, School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Bahram
authors: B
authors: Soleymani
authors: Young Researchers and Elite Club, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Mohammadreza
authors: M
authors: Taji
authors: School of Medicine, Najafabad Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran.
authors: Maryam
authors: M
authors: Mahabadi
keywords: 25-Hydroxyvitamin D; Intervertebral disc degeneration; Neurosurgery; Spine; Vitamin D