Vitamin D Levels in Patients Presenting with Comprehensive Body Pain Complaints to Family Medicine Clinic

Abstract

Introduction: Vitamin D is among the fat-soluble vitamins and is also a group of sterols that are hormones because they are synthesized endogenously. It has an effect on calcium, phosphorus metabolism and bone mineralization and is also crucial for general health and well-being. 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level should be checked to evaluate the vitamin D level. The aim of the study was to determine whether there is vitamin D deficiency in patients with generalized body pain who applied to our hospital and to determine the difference between 25(OH)D levels according to age and gender. Methods: The patients who applied to the specialist family medicine outpatient clinic of our hospital between 01.04.2018 and 30.11.2018 with available 25(OH)D levels were studied retrospectively. Patients with generalized body pain (n=473) participating in the study were classified according to age groups and gender. Number Cruncher Statistical System 2007 (Kaysville, Utah) program was used for statistical analysis. Results: Severe vitamin D deficiency was observed in 13.5% (n=64) of the cases, vitamin D deficiency was observed in 51.6% (n=244), and vitamin D insufficiency was observed in 26.9% (n=127) of the cases. A statistically significant difference was found between vitamin D levels according to gender, and the measurements of women were found to be lower than men (p=0.001; p0.05). Discussion and Conclusion: The mean 25(OH)D levels of 473 patients with generalized body pain were found to be below 30 ng/mL. Considering that this situation is related to insufficient benefit from sunlight and dietary factors, it is appropriate to supplement people with vitamin D.