Middle east pain syndrome is a pollution-induced new disease mimicking rheumatoid arthritis

Musculoskeletal pains are sometimes misdiagnosed in some diseases, like rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, erosive OA, etc. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was not considered a differential diagnosis for RA, despite the fact that it can cause arthralgia or arthritis. Also, fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic condition marked by widespread pain and tenderness. This study included 400 patients attended certain outpatient clinics of Rheumatology in Egypt and Saudi Arabia, who were not fulfilling criteria for RA diagnosis. Criteria for classification of fibromyalgia syndrome were applied to all patients. We did lab tests and radiological imaging modalities for diagnosis or exclusion of suspected diseases were applied. All patients were fulfilling both old and new criteria of fibromyalgia syndrome, and not fulfilling any RA criteria, and had vitamin D3 deficiency or insufficiency. 75% of patients had abnormally high levels of PTH, without parathyroid gland pathology. Radiology showed subperiosteal and subchondral resorption of mainly thumbs, subchondral osteopenia of proximal and middle phalanges, mild subperiosteal resorption along the radial aspect of the middle phalanx and mild tuft erosions, besides changes in the carpus closely resembling those of rheumatoid arthritis, of ulnar styloid resorption, radiocarpal and scapho-trapezoid joint arthritis. Of special interest, the presence of tuft spur-like excrescences.

The study of the prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency and its relationship with blood glucose level after coronary artery bypass graft operation among patients with diabetes

Objectives: Nowadays, vitamin D3 (VitD3) deficiency is among the most common dietary deficiencies around the world. Researchers have paid more attention to VitD3 because it is a vital element of the body and has a plausible relationship with various diseases such as diabetes mellitus type II. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of vitamin D3 deficiency and its relationship with blood sugar levels in people with diabetes undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting (CABG). Methods: An observational study was conducted in 2017 in Shahid Madani Hospital, Tabriz, Iran, for 8 months. Due to the use of census sampling, only 115 patients with diabetes and open-heart surgery were enrolled in the study. A questionnaire collected information on the participants' demographics, medical history, VitD3 levels and blood glucose levels. Data were analyzed using SPSS ver. 25. Independent t-test was used to compare quantitative data, and chi-square test was used to compare categorical variables. Results: One hundred and fifteen out of 348 patients who had CABG surgery were diabetic. Moreover, 24.7% of patients with diabetes had VitD3 deficiency. The results of the coefficient-correlation test indicated that there was a significant relationship between the mean blood glucose level and VitD3 level (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that patients with diabetes can improve their blood glucose control after CABG surgery by taking sufficient VitD3. Therefore, it should be considered as a principle of the hospital operation to prescribe VitD3 prior to surgery for these patients.

Concerning effective and safe dosages of vitamin D3: mega-analysis of clinically effective studies as a basis for actual evidence

The negative effects of hypovitaminosis D3 and vitamin D3 deficiency in 80% of Russians make eliminating vitamin D deficiency an issue of state concern. Hundreds of effective clinical studies showed realistic opportunities of vitamin D3 to help patients with disorders of carbohydrate and lipid metabolism, high levels of nonspecific inflammation, tuberculosis, and women with a higher risk of complications and pregnancy losses. Vitamin D3 supplements are essential for the prevention and treatment of a wide range of “bone” and “extraosseous” diseases. One of the most important aspects of the clinical uses of vitamin D3 is the dosage and dosage regimen of the vitamin. This paper presents the results of a “mega-analysis” of 3965 clinical studies of vitamin D3 in terms of the effectiveness of different dosages in achieving different clinical outcomes. It was shown that dosages of 2000 IU/day and 4000 IU/day correspond to the peak values of the effectiveness index, regardless of the diagnoses studied (mega-analysis of 420 randomized trials). Some effectiveness in the treatment of rickets, gestational diabetes, calcium metabolism disorders, disorders of bone density and structure, diseases of the musculoskeletal system and connective tissue can be achieved using weekly dosages of 50,000 IU/week (mega-analysis of 196 studies). It has been shown that dosages of 100,000-1,000,000 IU, intended for a single dose once a month, are almost always found only among studies with a negative result (mega-analysis of 368 studies).

Evaluation of High Dose Preoperative Activated Vitamin D to Prevent Post Total Thyroidectomy Hypocalcemia

Background With increase in the number of thyroidectomies, the incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia has seen a rise as well. Deficiency of vitamin D has long been debated as a risk factor for post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. The advantage of using vitamin D as a predictor for postoperative hypocalcemia may be (i) easy to estimate (ii) any deficiency can be easily corrected. Objective To determine the effectiveness of preoperative high dose calcitriol supplementation in reducing hypocalcemia following total thyroidectomy. Patients and Methods to assess the effect of preoperative vitamin D3 deficiency on post thyroidectomy hypocalcemia. For that purpose, 40 Egyptian patients for whom total thyroidectomy was performed in general surgery department at El-demerdash and Ain Shams University Specialized Hospital form March 2020 to September 2020. Patients were divided into 2 Groups; Group 1 included patients receiving preoperative single oral dose of active vit D(300000 IU) and Group 2 included patients receiving placebo instead of vit D. The incidence of postoperative hypocalcemia was investigated in all patients. Results Preoperative vitamin D measurements revealed a deficiency prevalence of 66.7% and a mean Vitamin D level of 17.09 ± 6.01. The main findings of the current study as regards to calcium was that the mean preoperative level of calcium was 9.61 ± 0.48 mg/dl, the lowest level of postoperative calcium was detected after 48 hours and 72 hours. With respect to relation between calcium and preoperative vitamin D, the results showed that there is no big difference between two groups (hypocalcemia occurred in 30% from patients in vit D group and 35% in placebo group) and no patients with normal preoperative vitamin D had a postoperative hypocalcemia 24, 48 or 72 hours after the operation. Conclusion Giving of single preoperative high dose vitamin D doesn’t reduce the overall rate of hypocalcemia after total thyroidectomy. Postoperative hypocalcemia is closely related to the preoperative vitamin D level and patients with hypovitaminosis D are more labile to develop hypocalcemia.

Middle East Pain Syndrome (MEPS) Vitamin D3 Deficiency Induced Hyperparathyroidism And Fibromyalgia Mimicking Rheumatoid Arthritis

Objectives: Musculoskeletal pains are sometimes misdiagnosed in some diseases, like rheumatoid and psoriatic arthritis, erosive OA, etc. Secondary hyperparathyroidism was not considered a differential diagnosis for RA, despite the fact that it can cause arthralgia or arthritis. Also, fibromyalgia is a psychosomatic condition marked by widespread pain and tenderness. Methods: This study included 400 patients attended outpatient clinics of Al-Azhar Faculty of medicine in Egypt, and Elaj Specialized Clinics in Saudi Arabia, who were not fulfilling criteria for RA diagnosis, and not responding to its treatment. Other diseases like psoriatic arthritis and erosive OA were excluded. Criteria for classification of fibromyalgia syndrome were applied to all patients. We did lab tests of RF, ACPA, ESR, CRP, LFT, RFT, vitamin D3, PTH, calcium, phosphorus, and SUA. Radiological imaging modalities for diagnosis or exclusion of suspected diseases were applied. Results: All patients were fulfilling both old and new criteria of fibromyalgia syndrome, and not fulfilling any RA criteria, 18% were seropositive with low RF titers and negative ACPA. All patients had vitamin D3 deficiency or insufficiency. 75% of patients had abnormally high levels of PTH, and had no parathyroid gland pathology. X-rays showed subperiosteal and subchondral resorption of mainly thumbs, subchondral osteopenia of proximal and middle phalanges, mild subperiosteal resorption along the radial aspect of the middle phalanx and mild tuft erosions, besides changes in the carpus closely resembling those of rheumatoid arthritis, of ulnar styloid resorption, radiocarpal and scapho-trapezoid joint arthritis. Of special interest, the presence of tuft spurs-like excrescences.

Relationship of vitamin D3 deficiency and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal and sinus polyposis in patients referring to the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases Department of Vali-asr Hospital in Brigand, Iran

Introduction: Chronic rhinosinusitis may require referral to an ear, nose, and throat specialist for possible endoscopic sinus surgery if medical management fails. Vitamin D is one of the essential vitamins for the body that is effective in inflammatory processes. Therefore, it seems necessary to confirm the association between the deficiency of this vitamin and the occurrence of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis. This study aimed to determine the relationship of vitamin D3 deficiency and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal and sinus polyposis in patients referring to the Otorhinolaryngology Department of Valiasr Hospital, Birjand, Iran, in 2017. Methods: A case-control study was performed on individuals, including a group of patients with rhinosinusitis and a control group (n=20 each), referring to the Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat Diseases Department of Vali-asr Hospital. Among patients diagnosed with chronic rhinosinusitis, the cases that had polyps on endoscopic examination were included in the study. After completing the consent form, venous blood samples (10cc) were collected from the patients in fasting conditions. The electrochemical luminescence method was used for measuring the level of serum vitamin D. A questionnaire containing demographic information and clinical findings was completed by reviewing the patients' records. Data analysis was performed in SPSS software (Version. 22)using Chi-square and Mann-Whitney U-tests. Results: The mean and median scores of vitamin D level were obtained at14.13±12.99 and 10.25 in the case group, and 18.72±9.29 and 18.77 in the control group, respectively. The level of vitamin D was significantly higher in the control group than in the chronic group (P=0.04). In the case group, 16 (80%) patients lacked vitamin D and 3 patients had an insufficient level of vitamin D. In the control group, 13 (65%) patients lacked vitamin D and 4 cases had an insufficient level of vitamin D. There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels between the two groups (P=0.61). No significant difference was observed between the two clinical symptoms. Conclusion: It was revealed that the lack of vitamin D was likely to be an effective factor in the rhinosinusitis disease; therefore, proceedings need to be taken to cure the deficiency of this vitamin.

Serum vitamin D3 levels in pregnant women with preeclampsia at third trimester of pregnancy

Background: Preeclampsia (PE) is a pregnancy-specific condition, characterized by high blood pressure and proteinuria after 20 weeks of gestation. One of the hypotheses concerning the etiology of PE is vitamin D3 deficiency during pregnancy. Vitamin D3 is especially important during pregnancy as low maternal vitamin D3 stores may contribute to problems like low birth weight as well as an increased risk of maternal comorbidities. Objectives: To evaluate serum vitamin D3 levels and how they can be affected by the severity of PE at the third trimester of pregnancy. Methods: This case-control study included a total of 71 pregnant women at the third trimester of pregnancy (41 with PE and 30 without PE as controls). Vitamin D3 serum level was measured by enzyme-linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA). Results: The study’s findings showed no significant difference in serum vitamin D3 level (p>0.05) between controls (14.41±1.41ng/ml) and PE patients (14.32±1.00). As well, subgroup analysis revealed non-considerable changes between mild PE cases (15.92±1.73 ng/ml) and severe ones (13.07±1.09 ng/ml). Conclusions: PE and its severity may have no significant effect on serum vitamin D3 levels of pregnant women at the third trimester of pregnancy.

Pleiotropic effects of vitamin D3

Introduction: Vitamin D belongs to the group of fat-soluble vitamins. cholecalciferol (D3) and ergocalciferol (D2) are the most important forms. Vitamin D is associated with a regulatory role in calcium and phosphate metabolism. In recent years, there has been attention to its pleiotropic action. Aim: The aim of the study was to present the general characteristics of vitamin D and explore its relation with polycystic ovary syndrome (PCOS), endometriosis, pain management, insulin resistance, influenza and chronic kidney disease (CKD).Description: VDR receptor has been detected in the cells of the intestines, bones, kidneys, heart, brain, prostate, breast, ovaries, skin. In the ovaries, vit. D3 affects the production of progesterone, estradiol or estrone which suggest its important role in the folliculogenesis and ovulation. Women with PCOS have significantly lower levels of vitamin D3 compared to healthy women. It has been suggested that the deficiency of this vitamin may be related to infertility. Research show that vit. D3 may affect the mechanisms of the inflammatory and nocyceptive pain perception. A significant connection has also been found between vit. D3 and the metabolism of the adipose tissue and insulin secretion. Vitamin D3 deficiency may increase the risk of development of obesity and insulin resistance as well as CKD.Summary: The observation of statistically significant correlation between the reduced level of vit. D3 and occurrence of numerous diseases indicates the need for further research to explain the mechanisms in which D3 deficiency may contribute to development of these diseases. This knowledge is important for the development of new prevention and treatment methods of the diseases mentioned in this article.

Could Vitamin D3 Deficiency Influence Malocclusion Development?

The abnormal growth of the craniofacial bone leads to skeletal and dental defects, which result in the presence of malocclusions. Not all causes of malocclusion have been explained. In the development of skeletal abnormalities, attention is paid to general deficiencies, including of vitamin D3 (VD3), which causes rickets. Its chronic deficiency may contribute to skeletal malocclusion. The aim of the study was to assess the impact of VD3 deficiency on the development of malocclusions. The examination consisted of a medical interview, oral examination, an alginate impression and radiological imaging, orthodontic assessment, and taking a venous blood sample for VD3 level testing. In about 42.1% of patients, the presence of a skeletal defect was found, and in 46.5% of patients, dentoalveolar malocclusion. The most common defect was transverse constriction of the maxilla with a narrow upper arch (30.7%). The concentration of vitamin 25 (OH) D in the study group was on average 23.6 ± 10.5 (ng/mL). VD3 deficiency was found in 86 subjects (75.4%). Our research showed that VD3 deficiency could be one of an important factor influencing maxillary development. Patients had a greater risk of a narrowed upper arch (OR = 4.94), crowding (OR = 4.94) and crossbite (OR = 6.16). Thus, there was a link between the deficiency of this hormone and the underdevelopment of the maxilla.

Relationship between serum vitamin D3 concentration and anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease in China

Objective In the present study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between serum vitamin D3 concentration and anaemia in patients with chronic kidney disease (CKD) in China, to assist understanding of the effects of vitamin D treatment in such patients. Methods A total of 225 patients with CKD were enrolled and a range of laboratory parameters were measured. The participants were allocated to three groups, according to their serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 concentration: a severe deficiency group, a deficiency group, and a sufficiency group. The prevalences of anaemia in the three groups were assessed, and the factors associated with anaemia in patients with CKD were analysed using logistic regression. Results The prevalences of anaemia were 79.5% in the severe deficiency group, 63.5% in the deficiency group, and 48.0% in the sufficiency group. The prevalence of anaemia gradually increased with the severity of vitamin D3 deficiency. The prevalences of anaemia in participants with stages 1 to 5 CKD were 21.1%, 30.4%, 39.5%, 78.7%, and 94.6%, respectively. Conclusion Vitamin D3 deficiency may increase the risk of anaemia in patients with CKD.