The Impact of Serum Vitamin D Concentration on Median Nerve Conduction

Year 2018, , 63 - 66, 13.06.2018

Gökhan Özer

https://doi.org/10.5799/jcei.433800

Abstract

Objectives: To perform nerve conduction studies (NCS)
and to evaluate distal latency, amplitude and conduction velocity values of the
median nerve in relation to serum vitamin D levels in patients with neuropathic
symptoms compared to controls.

Patients and Methods: Patients with
neuropathic symptoms of numbness, tingling and burning sensation were included
in the study. Serum 1,25(OH) D3 levels were measured and patients were
stratified by vitamin D status into three subgroups. Electrophysiological
assessments of the median nerve were performed as recommended by the American
Society of Electrodiagnostic Medicine. SPSS for Windows, version 24 was
used for statistical analyses. Median nerve conduction values were compared
between patient and control groups in relation to vitamin D concentration.

Results: The study enrolled 39 patients including
24 (61.5%) males and 15 (38.5%) females and 39 control subjects including 22
(56.4%) males 17 (43.6%) females. Patient and control groups had a mean age of 45
years. Average vitamin D concentration was 8.5 ng/ml in the patient group and
8.8 ng/ml in the control group. There was no statistically significant
difference between two groups with respect to age and average vitamin D
concentration (p=0.552). Greater distal latency values and a statistically
significant association between median nerve distal latency and vitamin D
deficiency were found in the vitamin D-deficient subgroup (p=0.024).

Conclusion: Given the neuroprotective action of
vitamin D and the involvement of vitamin D deficiency in several neurological
diseases as well as evidence that it might be an independent risk factor and a
potential biomarker for neuropathy, we believe that patients presenting with
mononeuropathy or polyneuropathy to a healthcare facility should be screened
for vitamin D deficiency. 

Keywords

25-hydroxyvitamin D, median nerve, conduction

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