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Decreased Neuromuscular Function in Crohn’s Disease Patients Is Not Associated with Low Serum Vitamin D Levels

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Abstract

Background

Neuromuscular fatigue is a common complaint in Crohn’s disease (CD) patients. A correlation between serum vitamin D concentrations and neuromuscular function has been found in the elderly or non-ambulant populations.

Aims

The aim of this study was to determine whether CD patients exhibit impaired neuromuscular function and if so, is there a link between vitamin D and neuromuscular function.

Methods

Crohn’s disease patients (n = 19) with at least one prior small bowel resection and matched controls (n = 19) underwent muscle strength and endurance testing, vitamin D, and nerve function analysis.

Results

Knee extension and flexion peak torque (Nm/kg) were greater in the control group than in the CD patients (P = 0.04 and 0.014, respectively. A significant difference was found between fatigue rates of the rectus femoris (P = 0.015) between CD patients and controls, but no difference was found in serum vitamin D levels between groups (P = 0.317). Knee extension and flexion torque measurements, with age as a covariate, were compared with high and low vitamin D levels. Those subjects with high serum vitamin D levels had a significantly greater extension peak torque (P = 0.045) and extension average torque (Nm/kg) (P = 0.014) than those with low levels.

Conclusion

Crohn’s disease patients with sufficient vitamin D levels experienced a 43 % greater extension peak torque. Although vitamin D deficiency has been associated with neuromuscular dysfunction, there were no differences in serum vitamin D levels between the CD and healthy controls to explain the decreased muscle strength.

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Acknowledgments

The authors received grant support from University of Pittsburgh’s Department of Health and Physical Activity Graduate Student Research Award: $1,500.00.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, Northern Illinois University, 204 Anderson Hall, DeKalb, IL, 60115, USA

    Amanda J. Salacinski

  2. Inflammatory Bowel Disease Center, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, PUH M2, C-Wing, 200 Lothrop St., Pittsburgh, PA, 15213, USA

    Miguel D. Regueiro

  3. Exercising Nutritionally LLC, 4225 Naperville Rd, Naperville, IL, 60565, USA

    Craig E. Broeder

  4. Division of Exercise Physiology, Department of Human Performance and Applied Exercise Science, West Virginia University, 8315 Robert C Byrd Health Science Center, South Building, PO Box 9227, Morgantown, WV, 26506-9229, USA

    Jean L. McCrory

Authors
  1. Amanda J. Salacinski
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  2. Miguel D. Regueiro
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  3. Craig E. Broeder
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  4. Jean L. McCrory
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Correspondence to Amanda J. Salacinski.

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Salacinski, A.J., Regueiro, M.D., Broeder, C.E. et al. Decreased Neuromuscular Function in Crohn’s Disease Patients Is Not Associated with Low Serum Vitamin D Levels. Dig Dis Sci 58, 526–533 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2372-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10620-012-2372-4

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