Vitamin D deficiency showed association with knee osteoarthritis in Tamilnadu population-A pilot study

Aim of the study is to measure serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in patients with knee osteoarthritis in comparison with age matched healthy controls and also to assess the association of 25-OH vitamin with osteoarthritis.

The study population consists of 240 patients divided into two groups, Group 1 and Group 2. Group 1 with 120 subjects with clinical features of knee osteoarthritis served as controls and Group 2 consists of 120 patients of patients diagnosed with knee osteoarthritis. Serum 25-OH vitamin D was measured in all the participants by the ELFA method and concentrations <10ng/ml was considered as deficient.

In Group 1, 57(46.5%) were males and 63 (53.5%) females, while in Group 2, 57(45.5%) were males and 63 (54.5%) females. Distribution of vitamin D status according to age, BMI and gender was also made and compared between the groups. Number of patients <60 years were 55 and 56 respectively in Group 1 and Group 2. Serum 25-OH vitamin D deficiency was observed in 67(55.8%) patients in Group 2 versus 15(12.5%) of Group B (P = 0.001). Further analysis of subgroups, revealed that the mean serum 25-OH vitamin D level in Group 2 aged <60 years was significantly lower than Group 1 (8.2 ± 1.1 vs. 9.2 ± 0.8 ng/ml, P < 0.05).

The present study findings showed a significant association between serum 25-OH vitamin D deficiency and in patients with knee osteoarthritis aged < 60 years. Screening of serum 25-OH vitamin D measurement in patients with symptoms suggestive of knee osteoarthritis is recommended as it showed association with knee osteoarthritis.