Vitamin D Could Prevent Cartilage Loss in Knee Osteoarthritis

According to researchers, vitamin D deficiency is associated with increased cartilage loss in older adults (range 51-79 years).

Sunlight exposure and vitamin D levels were both associated with decreased knee cartilage loss (assessed by radiograph or MRI), implying that achieving vitamin D sufficiency could prevent and/or retard cartilage loss in knee osteoarthritis.

Osteoarthritis is the most common form of arthritis, affecting nearly 27 million people in the United States. Osteoarthritis occurs when cartilage in the joints deterioates over time. The effects of aging result in a tissue that is less able to maintain homeostasis when stressed, resulting in breakdown and loss of the cartilage, a hallmark of osteoarthritis. Taking steps to actively manage osteoarthritis could help alleviate osteoarthritis pain.

In the study, vitamin D levels were assessed by radioimmunoassay, and sunlight exposure was assessed by questionnaire. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the right knee was performed to determine knee cartilage volume and defects. Knee radiographic osteoarthritis and knee pain were also assessed.

Vitamin D insufficiency was associated with decreased cartilage volume and increased medial tibiofemoral joint space narrowing, indicating worsening osteoarthritis.

The researchers estimated that osteoarthritis patients with vitamin D sufficiency could have approximately 1.5 percent less loss of knee cartilage per year than patients with vitamin D deficiency.

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References:
1. Ding C, Cicuttini F, Parameswaran V, Burgess J, Quinn S, Jones G. Serum levels of vitamin D, sunlight exposure, and knee cartilage loss in older adults: The Tasmanian older adult cohort study. Arthritis Rheum. 2009 May;60(5):1381-9.