Abstract

Clinical, Laboratory and Radiographic Effects of Vitamin-D Therapy in Primary Knee Osteoarthritic Patients

Author(s): Youstina Abd El-Massih, Nivine Darwish, Radwa El-Khouly, Amal El Bendary, Mohamed Mowafy

Aim: To study the effect of vitamin D therapy in clinical, laboratory, and radiographic findings in primary knee osteoarthritic patients.

Patients and methods: Study included 40 cases with primary knee Osteoarthritis (OA) and suffered from vitamin D insufficiency (equal or less than 50 nmol/L or 30 ng/ml). Patients were divided into 2 groups; group 1 received meloxicam in a dose of 15 mg daily in cases of marked knee OA for 2 months, in addition to home exercise program. group 2 received the same previous treatment in addition to vitamin D3 supplementations orally 50,000 IU/week for 6 months.

Results: There was significant improvement of degree of knee (pain, tenderness and effusion grading) and WOMAC index in group 2 after 6 months whereas the improvement in group 1 was insignificant. Regarding ultrasonographic assessment of knee cartilage degeneration, after 6 months there was insignificant difference in both groups. As regards ultrasonographic assessment of knee effusion, after 6 months there was significant improvement in group 2. As regards serum vitamin D level, after 6 months there was significant improvement in group 2 (85% had normal serum vitamin D level).

Conclusion: Before treatment, there was significant correlation between vitamin D level and age, clinical, functional parameters, and ultrasonographic findings (synovial membrane thickness and knee effusion). After vitamin D therapy there was significant improvement of serum vitamin D level and this improvement was correlated to VAS &WOMAC index.