Effect of hypovitaminosis D on the characteristics of chronic tension-type headache in women

Abstract

There is a growing body of evidence linking hypovitaminosis D with the prevalence and severity of various pain conditions. The effect of vitamin D levels on chronic tension type headache (CTTH) is almost unexplored.Objective: to investigate the effect of serum vitamin D levels on the clinical characteristics of CTTH.Patients and methods. The study enrolled women with CTTH (n=161). Headache frequency (HF), headache duration (HD), headache intensity (HI), presence of chronic widespread pain (WP) and the number of its zones, severity of anxiety and depression, and sleep quality index were evaluated. The vitamin D level was assessed by the concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D].Results and discussion. Low 25(ОН)D-level was associated with an increase in HF, HD and the prevalence of WP. For each of the listed parameters, the values in vitamin D deficiency were higher than in its insufficiency or normal ranges (p<0,001). 25(OH)D-level was inversely correlated with HF (rS=-0,49), HD (rS=-0,51; p<0,05). Vitamin D-deficiency increased the risk of WP: compared to its insufficiency relative risk (RR) was 2.12 (95% CI 1.39–3.21), to the normal ranges – 3.67 (95% CI 1.71–7.88). In case of insufficiency and normal level of vitamin D, the values for the listed parameters did not differ. Other characteristics did not depend on 25(OH)D-level.Conclusion. In women with CTTH hypovitaminosis D contributes to the greater disease severity. Vitamin D deficiency, which is strongly associated with an increase in pain characteristics, has great clinical significance.