[Relationship between vitamin D and osteoarthritis].

Area of Science:

• Rheumatology and Orthopedics
• Nutritional Science
• Medical Imaging and Diagnostics

Context:

• Osteoarthritis (OA) is a prevalent degenerative joint disease and a leading cause of global disability.
• The precise role of vitamin D in OA pathogenesis, diagnosis, and treatment remains incompletely understood.
• This study investigates the association between vitamin D status and clinical/instrumental OA parameters.

Purpose:

• To evaluate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and various clinical and instrumental parameters in patients with knee OA.
• To identify potential correlations between vitamin D status and OA severity, pain, joint function, and structural changes.

Summary:

• A cross-sectional study of 171 knee OA patients (age 40-75, stages I-III) found that 63.7% had low vitamin D levels (insufficiency/deficiency).
• Lower vitamin D levels correlated significantly with higher body mass index (BMI), increased pain (VAS, WOMAC), worse joint function (KOOS, PGHC), and reduced cartilage in the medial knee joint.
• Patients with low vitamin D were more likely to exhibit synovitis, flat feet, quadriceps hypotrophy, and medial tibial/femoral osteitis on MRI.

Impact:

• Low vitamin D levels are associated with more severe knee OA phenotypes, including greater pain, functional limitation, and structural damage.
• Findings suggest vitamin D status may be an important factor in OA progression and patient outcomes.
• This research underscores the potential clinical relevance of monitoring and managing vitamin D levels in OA patients.