Vitamin D may slow osteoarthritis

New research suggests that people with osteoarthritis who have low vitamin D intakes may suffer worse effects of the disease than those whose intake is high. Researchers at Boston University studied more than 500 elderly people with osteoarthritis of the knee. The findings are based on X-rays taken four years apart, vitamin D intake evaluated through food questionnaires and vitamin D levels in the blood. They found that those with the lowest intakes and blood levels of vitamin D were three times more likely to see their disease progress than people with high intakes and blood levels. Osteoarthritis is the most common rheumatic or joint disease and is characterised by degenerative changes in the surface of the cartilage in the joints. The joints become stiff and painful. More women than men suffer and it usually starts in middle age. As many as 75 per cent of those over 70 show some evidence of the disease, with the knees and hands being the most common joints involved. Knee and hip replacement surgery is often done in severe cases of osteoarthritis. There may be many causes of osteoarthritis and these include factors such as abnormal physical forces producing wear and tear on the joints, inflammatory processes, hormonal effects, changes in bone and with aging. There is currently no way of stopping or reversing the changes which occur in osteoarthritis which means that it is very important to investigate ways of preventing the disease. Although further research into the links between vitamin D and osteoarthritis is necessary, osteoarthritis sufferers may benefit from a vitamin supplement if their intake is inadequate. Vitamin D may help reduce the cartilage damage seen in osteoarthritis.

Taken from the Annals of Internal Medicine