The Impact of Serum Vitamin D Concentration on Median Nerve Conduction

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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