LEVELS OF VITAMIN D IN PATIENTS WITH LOW BACKACHE

Background: Along with many factors vitamin D is considered to have role in lower backache. The objective of this study was to determine the levels of vitamin D in patients of low backache. Material Methods: This descriptive study was conducted at Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Peshawar over a period of 10 months in 2013. Five hundred patients having low backache were included in the study through non-probability consecutive sampling. A performa including the demographic information, color of skin, veil observation practice, menstrual history and BMI was recorded. Blood was taken and vitamin D levels measured. Levels 20 ng/dl were taken as deficient, 20-30 ng/dl insufficient and 30 ng/dl as normal. Results: Mean age of patients was 41.13+15.22 years with 237(47.4%) males and 263(52.6%) females. Vitamin D levels were below normal in 442(88.4%) and normal in 50(10%) cases. On BMI basis 91.66% with BMI 25 Kg/m^2 had low vitamin D levels as compared to 86.56% with BMI 25 kg/m^2. Among females 89.19% were of reproductive-age and had lower vitamin D levels as compared to 88.76% of menopausal females. Regarding veil observation 6.49% of veil observing females had normal level as compared to 19.28% of non-veil observing females. In respect to skin complexion 27(13.86%) had normal levels among dark complexion as compared to 23(9.67%) with fair complexion. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is present in majority of patients with idiopathic lower back pain and should be considered a contributing factor