Vitamin D deficiency may exacerbate or prolong arthritis in Chikungunya fever
Int J Res Med Sci. 2016; 4(10): 4399-4402doi: 10.18203/2320-6012.ijrms20163300
Rao V. N. Bhavana, Raman V. S. Bhavana, Narmada Vatti, Prabhakar Rao V. Dirisana.
Chikungunya shares features with Zika, Dengue, and several other viruses
- Enveloped virus
- Carried by Aedes-aegypti mosquito
Zika virus symptoms very similar to others: ChikDenMaZika Syndrome – July 2016
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Abstract
Background: Chikungunya is a self-limiting acute febrile illness with acute arthritis. It is carried by Aedes aegypti and Aedes albopictus. The disease mainly affected Africa and Asia, though sporadic cases occurred in the other regions of the world. Background: During an outbreak of this illness in India in 2015 we observed that a portion of the patients were suffering from prolonged arthritis. While investigating for the cause of prolonged arthritis we found that most of them were deficient in Vitamin D. Hence we carried up this study of Vitamin D deficiency in Chikungunya patients.
Methods: All the probable cases of Chikungunya that attended our hospital between 20th July 2015 to 30th January 2016 were registered for study. Their symptoms and clinical signs were analyzed. All were investigated for hematological abnormalities and excluded for dengue fever by serological testing. Those who were hospitalized with severe arthritis were tested for vitamin D deficiency on the day of admission and those who had arthritis beyond a month on 30th day. Those who had a vitamin D deficiency were treated with supplementation and followed up for another three months.
Results: Symptoms were analyzed and charted. Tenderness of the skin of the legs just above the ankle was found in 38% of patients which was not documented in the earlier study. 86% of patients had elevated C-reactive protein average being 21 mg/l. 90% 0f patients admitted to the hospital had Vitamin D deficiency and 62% of patients who had arthritis beyond one month had Vitamin D levels less than 20 ng/ml. Correction of vitamin D deficiency alleviated their pain early.
Conclusions: Testing for Vitamin D deficiency in all the patients of Chikungunya admitted to the hospital and those suffering from joint pains beyond one month and treating with Vitamin D supplementation, may be prudent to alleviate the suffering of Chikungunya.
Key words: Chickungunya fever, Vitamin D deficiency, Prolonged arthritis, C-reactive protein, Ankle oedema, Facial pigmentation
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