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Research ArticleOriginal ResearchA

Vitamin D Supplementation for Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Pain in Non-Western Immigrants: A Randomized Controlled Trial

Ferdinand Schreuder, Roos M. D. Bernsen and Johannes C. van der Wouden
The Annals of Family Medicine November 2012, 10 (6) 547-555; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1370/afm.1402
Ferdinand Schreuder
1Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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  • For correspondence: fschreuder01@planet.nl
Roos M. D. Bernsen
2Department of Community Medicine, United Arab Emirates University, United Arab Emirates
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Johannes C. van der Wouden
1Department of General Practice, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
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Abstract

PURPOSE Many non-Western immigrants report musculoskeletal pains that are hard to treat. We studied the effect of high-dose vitamin D3 on nonspecific persistent musculoskeletal complaints in vitamin D–deficient non-Western immigrants and assessed correlation of pain patterns with benefit.

METHODS We conducted a semi-crossover randomized controlled trial between February 2008 and February 2010 in primary care in 84 non-Western immigrants visiting their general practitioner for nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. At baseline, patients were randomized to placebo or vitamin D (150,000 IU vitamin D3 orally); at week 6, patients in the original vitamin D group were randomized a second time to receive vitamin D (again) or to switch to placebo, whereas patients in the original placebo group were all switched to vitamin D. The main outcome was self-assessed change in pain after the first 6 weeks.

RESULTS Patients in the vitamin D group were significantly more likely than their counterparts in the placebo group to report pain relief 6 weeks after treatment (34.9% vs 19.5%, P = .04). The former were also more likely to report an improved ability to walk stairs (21.0% vs 8.4%, P = .008). Pain pattern was not correlated with the success of treatment. In a nonsignificant trend, patients receiving vitamin D over 12 weeks were more likely to have an improvement than patients receiving it over 6 weeks.

CONCLUSIONS There is a small positive effect 6 weeks after high-dose vitamin D3 on persistent nonspecific musculoskeletal pain. Future research should focus on longer follow-up, higher supplementation doses, and mental health.

Key words
  • vitamin D
  • vitamin deficiency
  • immigrants
  • musculoskeletal pain
  • pain
  • supplementation
  • primary care
  • practice-based research

Footnotes

  • Conflicts of interest: authors report none.

  • Annals Journal Club selection; see inside back cover or http://www.annfammed.org/AJC/.

  • To read or post commentaries in response to this article, see it online at http://www.annfammed.org/content/10/6/547.

  • Received for publication October 6, 2011.
  • Revision received February 12, 2012.
  • Accepted for publication March 1, 2012.
  • © 2012 Annals of Family Medicine, Inc.
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The Annals of Family Medicine: 10 (6)
The Annals of Family Medicine: 10 (6)
Vol. 10, Issue 6
November/December 2012
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Vitamin D Supplementation for Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Pain in Non-Western Immigrants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ferdinand Schreuder, Roos M. D. Bernsen, Johannes C. van der Wouden
The Annals of Family Medicine Nov 2012, 10 (6) 547-555; DOI: 10.1370/afm.1402

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Vitamin D Supplementation for Nonspecific Musculoskeletal Pain in Non-Western Immigrants: A Randomized Controlled Trial
Ferdinand Schreuder, Roos M. D. Bernsen, Johannes C. van der Wouden
The Annals of Family Medicine Nov 2012, 10 (6) 547-555; DOI: 10.1370/afm.1402
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