Factors Associated with Vitamin D Testing, Deficiency, Intake, and Supplementation in Patients with Chronic Pain

Area of Science:

• Public Health
• Clinical Medicine
• Nutritional Science

Background:

• Vitamin D deficiency is a growing public health concern, linked to chronic conditions like diabetes, cardiovascular disease, depression, and chronic pain.
• Increased vitamin D testing rates necessitate understanding factors influencing deficiency risk in specific populations, such as individuals with chronic pain.
• Identifying at-risk individuals can optimize diagnostic and treatment resources, reducing healthcare costs and improving patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate factors associated with vitamin D testing, diagnosis, and physician-advised supplementation among individuals experiencing chronic pain.
• To identify demographic and clinical characteristics that predict vitamin D deficiency in this patient group.
• To inform targeted screening and intervention strategies for vitamin D deficiency in chronic pain management.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study design was employed, collecting data from 465 individuals with chronic pain.
• Penalized logistic regression utilizing the LASSO technique was used for data analysis.
• Key variables examined included age, pain intensity, employment status, residency, vitamin D testing, diagnosis, and supplementation.

Main Results:

• 57% of participants were tested for vitamin D, with 40% diagnosed with deficiency. Of those tested, 60% received supplementation advice.
• Older age (OR 3.12) and higher pain intensity (OR 2.02) were significantly associated with increased odds of vitamin D deficiency.
• Unemployment/leave due to pain, part-time employment, and Australian residency correlated with higher rates of vitamin D testing.
• Vitamin D deficiency diagnosis, unemployment/leave, and part-time employment were linked to physician-advised supplementation.

Conclusions:

• Older age and greater pain intensity are key risk factors for vitamin D deficiency in individuals with chronic pain.
• Employment status and residency can influence vitamin D testing and supplementation adherence.
• Pretest risk factor identification is crucial for efficient vitamin D screening and management in chronic pain populations, potentially improving clinical decision-making and resource allocation.