High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency across the board in neuromuscular disease

A study presented at the annual meeting of the American Association of Neuromuscular & Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM) adds more credence to a growing awareness of the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in neuromuscular disease.

"Previous work has shown vitamin D deficiency to be quite common in other neurological disorders such as multiple sclerosis, myasthenia gravis, and Parkinson's disease. This study suggests this concern may be more prevalent in other neuromuscular conditions as well," said Ileana Howard, MD, AANEM News Science Editorial Board member.

Vitamin D supplementation has been suggested to improve function in frail elderly patients at risk for falls, as well as individuals with myasthenia gravis and Parkinson's. The impact of vitamin D deficiency and supplementation on function in other neurologic conditions has yet to be explored.

"While the connection between vitamin D deficiency and neurologic disease is likely complex and not yet fully understood, this study may prompt physicians to consider checking vitamin D levels in their patients with neurologic conditions and supplementing when necessary," said Dr. Howard.

The study, entitled Surprising Prevalence of Significant Vitamin D Deficiency in Neuro-muscular Disease Clinic in Central Pennsylvania, was conducted by Sankar Bandyopadhyay, MD, and Sol Dejesus, MD, from Hershey, PA.

The AANEM 61st Annual Meeting is October 29 through November 1, 2014, in Savannah, GA. It is the premier meeting focusing on the diagnosis and treatment of neuromuscular diseases and electrodiagnostic (EDX) medicine.

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American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine (AANEM)