ABSTRACT

Vitamin D deficiency can cause pain and disability in many diseases. Subacromial impingement syndrome (SAIS) is a common reason for shoulder pain. In this study, we aimed to assess the relationship between vitamin D and the clinical features in patients with SAIS.

Patients with SAIS were evaluated, and age, gender, affected side, disease duration, 25-OH vitamin D, and other laboratory tests were recorded from patients’ files. Also, patients’ data on shoulder visual analog scale (VAS), shoulder range of motions (ROMs), and scores of Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder, and Hand (DASH) were obtained. The patients were grouped according to their 25-OH vitamin D levels. (Group 1: <10 ng/mL, Group 2: 10-20 ng/mL, and Group 3: >20 ng/mL). Demographic and clinical features were compared between groups, and the relation of vitamin D with VAS, DASH scores, and ROMs were investigated.

Eighty patients with SAIS were included in the study. The mean age of patients was 51.99±11.14 years. There were 35 female and 25 male patients. The mean disease duration was 6.32 months. VAS was statistically higher in Group 1 compared to Group 3. Also, shoulder pain was negatively correlated with 25-OH vitamin D level. There was no statistically significant relation between the 25-OH vitamin D level and DASH score or the 25-OH vitamin D level and shoulder ROMs.

Severe deficiency of vitamin D increases shoulder pain in patients with SAIS. Vitamin D deficiency should be taken into consideration in patients with severe shoulder pain in SAIS.

Keywords: Subacromial impingement syndrome, vitamin D, pain, disability, shoulder