Relationship Between Vitamin D Status, Pain Severity, and Functional Disability in Chronic Low Back Pain

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Endocrinology
• Public Health

Background:

• Chronic low back pain is a major global cause of disability.
• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in India and linked to musculoskeletal issues.
• Previous research on vitamin D and back pain is inconclusive.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and chronic low back pain.
• To assess associations between vitamin D, pain severity, and functional disability.

Main Methods:

• Observational, cross-sectional study at a tertiary care center.
• Adults with chronic low back pain (>12 weeks) were enrolled.
• Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D, pain (Numeric Pain Rating Scale), and disability (Oswestry Disability Questionnaire) were measured.

Main Results:

• High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency in chronic low back pain patients.
• Lower vitamin D levels correlated with higher pain severity and disability scores.
• Deficient vitamin D status linked to greater functional impairment.

Conclusions:

• Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in chronic low back pain.
• Deficiency is significantly associated with increased pain and functional disability.
• Vitamin D assessment is clinically relevant for chronic low back pain management, especially in high-prevalence areas.