Could vitamin D levels be associated with lower back pain?

In a recent study published in the journal Nutrients, researchers from Germany investigated a large cohort from the United Kingdom (U.K.) Biobank to examine the cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between vitamin D status or the use of vitamin D supplements and the incidence of lower back pain.

Study: Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status and Vitamin D Supplements Use Are Not Associated with Low Back Pain in the Large UK Biobank Cohort. Image Credit: FotoHelin / ShutterstockStudy: Serum 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Status and Vitamin D Supplements Use Are Not Associated with Low Back Pain in the Large UK Biobank Cohort. Image Credit: FotoHelin / Shutterstock

Background

Vitamin D deficiency is a significant public health problem worldwide since vitamin D is essential for the health of the musculoskeletal system, muscle function, and bone mineralization. Studies have reported that over 90% of patients with disorders associated with the musculoskeletal system have low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, which is the standard and most accurate method of measuring the concentration of vitamin D in the body. Vitamin D also plays an anti-inflammatory role and helps modulate pain. Therefore, individuals with low vitamin D levels in the serum often suffer from various conditions involving chronic pain.

Of the many chronic pain conditions, lower back pain is believed to be the one linked to the most years lived with disability across the world. Health statistics from 2017 indicate that close to 8% of the global population suffers from lower back pain, and the number is rapidly rising. While various factors such as injuries, sedentary lifestyles, genetics, occupational causes, and psychosocial issues can contribute to lower back pain, the role of vitamin D in alleviating lower back pain remains largely unexplored.

About the study

In the present study, the researchers used a substantial cohort from the U.K. Biobank to examine whether the levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D or vitamin D supplementation were associated with lower back pain using longitudinal and cross-sectional data.

The participants consisted of adults between the ages of 40 and 69 who were recruited across centers in Scotland, England, and Wales. Their biomedical information was obtained through multiple methods, including questionnaires, interviews, functional and physical evaluations, and clinical analyses of saliva, urine, and blood samples.

Vitamin D status was decided based on the serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D, with deficiency defined as 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels below 30 nmol per liter, while concentrations between 30 and 50 nmol per liter being considered as vitamin D insufficiency. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels above 50 nmol per liter were considered sufficient. Baseline visit questionnaires provided the researchers with data on the use of multivitamins and vitamin D supplements.

The primary care records were used to obtain information on lower back pain diagnoses and diagnosis dates. The baseline visit diagnoses were used for the cross-sectional analysis, while lower back pain cases diagnosed during follow-ups were used for the longitudinal analysis. Questionnaires were also used to determine self-reported lower back pain, and this data was combined with physicians’ diagnoses of lower back pain to determine the exposure variable.

A wide range of covariables that could have statistically significant associations with vitamin D deficiency were considered during the analysis. These included body mass index, sociodemographic factors, biomarkers, lifestyle characteristics, and disease. Covariables associated explicitly with vitamin D levels, such as seasonality and geographic latitude of the recruitment centers and the calendar month during which the blood samples were drawn, were also included in the analysis.

Results

The results showed that lower back pain showed no associations with serum levels of vitamin D or the use of vitamin D supplements. The researchers believe this lack of any significant association is perhaps due to the multi-factorial nature of lower back pain.

While the cross-sectional analysis indicated significant associations between lower back pain, serum vitamin D levels, and the use of vitamin D supplements, the significance of these associations did not hold after adjusting for the various confounding factors. The longitudinal analysis did not find any associations between the use of vitamin D supplements or vitamin D levels in the serum and the incidence of lower back pain.

The researchers stated that while vitamin D plays a vital role in musculoskeletal health and suppressing inflammation, lower back pain could arise from diverse factors such as sedentary habits, injuries, and occupations involving working in unhealthy postures. Other comorbidities and genetic reasons can also cause lower back pain. Therefore, the role of vitamin D in alleviating lower back pain needs to be investigated for specific etiologies of the condition.

Conclusions

In conclusion, the findings indicated that perhaps due to the multi-factorial nature of lower back pain, serum vitamin D levels or the use of vitamin D supplements were not found to be associated with lower back pain.

Journal reference:
  • Sha, S., Chen, L., Brenner, H. and Schöttker, B. (2024). Serum 25Hydroxyvitamin D Status and Vitamin D Supplements Use Are Not Associated with Low Back Pain in the Large UK Biobank Cohort. Nutrients, 16(6). DOI: 10.3390/nu16060806, https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/6/806
Dr. Chinta Sidharthan

Written by

Dr. Chinta Sidharthan

Chinta Sidharthan is a writer based in Bangalore, India. Her academic background is in evolutionary biology and genetics, and she has extensive experience in scientific research, teaching, science writing, and herpetology. Chinta holds a Ph.D. in evolutionary biology from the Indian Institute of Science and is passionate about science education, writing, animals, wildlife, and conservation. For her doctoral research, she explored the origins and diversification of blindsnakes in India, as a part of which she did extensive fieldwork in the jungles of southern India. She has received the Canadian Governor General’s bronze medal and Bangalore University gold medal for academic excellence and published her research in high-impact journals.

Citations

Please use one of the following formats to cite this article in your essay, paper or report:

  • APA

    Sidharthan, Chinta. (2024, March 13). Could vitamin D levels be associated with lower back pain?. News-Medical. Retrieved on October 15, 2024 from https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240313/Could-vitamin-D-levels-be-associated-with-lower-back-pain.aspx.

  • MLA

    Sidharthan, Chinta. "Could vitamin D levels be associated with lower back pain?". News-Medical. 15 October 2024. <https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240313/Could-vitamin-D-levels-be-associated-with-lower-back-pain.aspx>.

  • Chicago

    Sidharthan, Chinta. "Could vitamin D levels be associated with lower back pain?". News-Medical. https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240313/Could-vitamin-D-levels-be-associated-with-lower-back-pain.aspx. (accessed October 15, 2024).

  • Harvard

    Sidharthan, Chinta. 2024. Could vitamin D levels be associated with lower back pain?. News-Medical, viewed 15 October 2024, https://www.news-medical.net/news/20240313/Could-vitamin-D-levels-be-associated-with-lower-back-pain.aspx.

Comments

The opinions expressed here are the views of the writer and do not necessarily reflect the views and opinions of News Medical.
Post a new comment
Post

While we only use edited and approved content for Azthena answers, it may on occasions provide incorrect responses. Please confirm any data provided with the related suppliers or authors. We do not provide medical advice, if you search for medical information you must always consult a medical professional before acting on any information provided.

Your questions, but not your email details will be shared with OpenAI and retained for 30 days in accordance with their privacy principles.

Please do not ask questions that use sensitive or confidential information.

Read the full Terms & Conditions.

You might also like...
Vitamin D during pregnancy boosts childhood bone health for years, study shows