In this study the authors measured the Vitamin D levels in people suffering chronic pain to see if it may be a contributing factor. Vitamin D does play a role in pain perception and neuromuscular functioning, and so dysfunctions related to Vitamin D levels may present as abnormal (in this case elevated) pain states.

The researchers measured the Vitamin D levels in 267 people and compared it with other parameters “such as the amount and duration of narcotic pain medication used, self-reported levels of pain, emotional distress, physical functioning, health perception”.

“The researchers found that patients who had inadequate vitamin-D levels and required narcotic pain medication were taking much higher doses — nearly twice as much — as those with adequate levels. These patients also reported worse physical function and worse overall health perception.”

In their words “We didn’t anticipate that the difference would be so high.”

So if you or anyone you know is suffering from Chronic Pain, supplementing your diet or medications with Vitamin D looks like a good idea.

Also, see “Low Vitamin D Levels Linked to Chronic Pain in Women”  http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/579208

http://thegoodhealthjournal.com/?p=67

Prevalence and clinical correlates of vitamin D inadequacy among patients with chronic pain.
Pain Med. 2008 Nov;9(8):979-84. Epub 2008 Mar 11

OBJECTIVE: Vitamin D inadequacy is associated with medication refractory musculoskeletal pain and neuromuscular dysfunction. This vitamin deficiency could subsist as an unrecognized comorbid condition among patients with chronic pain. The primary objective of this study was to determine the prevalence and clinical correlates of vitamin D inadequacy in patients seeking treatment for chronic pain.

DESIGN: Retrospective case series.

SETTING: Multidisciplinary pain rehabilitation center at a tertiary referral medical center.

PATIENTS: The study involved 267 chronic pain patients admitted from February to December 2006.

INTERVENTION: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) was drawn at admission.

OUTCOME MEASURES: Patients with serum 25[OH]D levels < or=20 ng/mL were considered to have inadequate levels and those with levels >20 ng/mL were considered to have adequate levels. Upon admission, opioid intake was documented and patients completed the Short Form-36 Health Status Questionnaire.

RESULTS: The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 26% (95% confidence interval, 20.6-31.1%). Among patients using opioids, the mean morphine equivalent dose for the inadequate vitamin D group was 133.5 mg/day compared with 70.0 mg/day for the adequate group (P = 0.001). The mean duration of opioid use for the inadequate and adequate groups were 71.1 months and 43.8 months, respectively (P = 0.023). Opioid users with inadequate levels reported worse physical functioning (P = 0.041) and health perception (P = 0.003) than opioid users with adequate levels.

CONCLUSION: The prevalence and clinical correlates identified in this pilot study provide the basis for the assertion that vitamin D inadequacy may represent an under-recognized source of nociception and impaired neuromuscular functioning among patients with chronic pain.
Quotes from http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/590151

Photo credit