This article is more than 5 years old. Information may no longer be current.
Study: Vitamin D supplementation did not change tibial cartilage volume, WOMAC pain score
Compared with placebo, vitamin D supplementation did not result in significant differences in change in MRI-measured tibial cartilage volume or WOMAC knee pain score during a 2-year period among patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis and low serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels, according to results.
Researchers randomly assigned 413 patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis (OA) and low 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels to receive either monthly treatment with oral vitamin D3 or a placebo for 2 years. Primary outcome measures included change in tibial cartilage volume and change in WOMAC pain score, while secondary outcomes were cartilage defects and bone marrow lesions.
During the 2 years, results showed the vitamin D group experienced a higher increase in the level of 25-hydroxyvitamin D vs. the placebo group. However, researchers noted no significant differences in the annual change of tibial cartilage volume or WOMAC pain score, as well as no significant differences in change of tibiofemoral cartilage defects or change in tibiofemoral bone marrow lesions. According to results, 56 participants in the vitamin D group experienced adverse events vs. 37 participants in the placebo group. – by Casey Tingle
Disclosures: Jin reports no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.