Vitamin D deficiency,functional status,and balance in older adults with osteoarthritis

BACKGROUND Low vitamin D levels are associated with a more severe case of knee osteoarthritis(OA).However,there are few published reports concerning an association between vitamin D deficiency and functional status of individuals with OA and no reports about postural balance in this population.AIM To analyze the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and severity,functional status,and balance in elderly patients with OA.METHODS In this cross-sectional study,105 elderly patients with hip and knee OA were included.The severity was assessed by the Kellgren-Lawrence criteria.The functional status was assessed with the Lequesne index.Postural balance was assessed using a force platform,and center-of-pressure parameters(velocity at anteroposterior and mediolateral axis)were used as the balance outcomes.Serum 25(OH)vitamin D levels were measured using a chemiluminescence method.RESULTS Most of the patients(mean age:70.6±6.5 years)were female(n=78,74.3%).In the group with vitamin D deficiency,43 patients(56.6%)had severe OA,while 33 patients(43.4%)had mild or moderate OA(χ^(2) test,P=0.04).Patients with vitamin D deficiency showed a higher Lequesne index score(Mann-Whitney test,P=0.04),indicating a worse functional impairment when compared to individuals with normal vitamin D levels.Additionally,patients with vitamin D deficiency had worse postural balance according to the Mann-Whitney test(P=0.03).CONCLUSION Vitamin D deficiency is associated with worse severity,functional status,and postural balance in patients with OA.