Serum Vitamin D Levels in Indian Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Abstract

Low serum vitamin D level has an increased association with risk of multiple sclerosis (MS).There has been no published data on the levels of this vitamin in Indian population with MS. Hence we decided to undertake this study to document if there is evidence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with MS in our population. 26 patients with diagnosis of MS by modified Mc Donald's criteria were enrolled in this study. Serum vitamin D (1,25 hydroxy) levels were measured by electro-chemiluminescence in our biochemistry lab. An age-matched control group of 202 patients who did not have a diagnosis of MS were included. In our study group 76.9 % had vitamin D level less than 20 ng/ml compared to 65.5 % of control group (p value of 0.019). Our study revealed a trend towards low vitamin D values in Indian MS patients.

Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency in Patients Presenting with an Orthopaedic Trauma at a Tertiary Centre in South India - Implications and Protocols for Replacement Therapy

“…Individual sun exposure is unlikely to be reduced during any part of the year. Despite controversies existing regarding the normal acceptable vitamin D level, various studies in otherwise asymptomatic cohorts world over have shown alarmingly low levels of Vitamin D 1 , 3 , 15 , 16 . What constitutes hypovitaminosis is also confusing with different studies using different cut off values to define deficiency.…”

“…The importance of Vitamin D in calcium metabolism and bone health is well known and documented. Controversies exist regarding the true prevalence of hypovitaminosis, however in developing countries the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in all age groups is probably higher 3 . Adding to this the burden and morbidity of skeletal trauma, persistent deficiency may have a deleterious effect in the injured 4 , 5 .…”