Vitamin d status in adolescent idiopathic scoliosis in girls

Abstract EN

Objective : To investigate the correlation between vitamin D status in Adolescent Idiopathic Scoliosis (AIS) in girls.

Methodology : Assessment of 25-hydroxycholecalciferol [25 (OH) D], parathyroid (PTH), Osteocalcin, serum deoxypyridinoline (DPD), serum calcium, phosphorus, albumin, alkaline phosphatase, and cobb angles in 20 female patients with AIS and in 20 healthy females aged between 12-14 years was performed.

Results : Our results asserted that vitamin D levels in the AIS group had a mean of 32.300 + / - 5.2, which is in the level of vitamin D insufficiency (levels < 40 nmol / L).

The control group showed a mean vitamin D level of 87.18 + / - 4.6, which is on the lower margin of normal vitamin D level.

All of our AIS patients had angles less than 40 degrees (mean 24.67 + / - 3.05) that is categorized as moderate.

Most patients with vitamin D levels below or equal to 30 nmol / L had an angle above 20 degrees, whereas most of those with vitamin D levels above 30 nmol / L had angles below 20 degrees.

Conclusions : Vitamin D insufficiency is a major contributor to AIS in areas where vitamin D insufficiency is endemic.

It seems that the muscle weakness resulting from vitamin D insufficiency is the triggering factor for scoliosis whereas the direction is determined by the postural habits of the individual, probably due to the asymmetrical mechanical forces around the vertebral bodies.

Screening for vitamin D deficiency and treatment with supplements should be mandatory in this setting.

Measurement of serum 25-OH Cholecalciferol is sensitive and specific for detection of vitamin D deficiency, and hence for presumed AIS in patients with chronic low back pain.