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This Mayo Clinic study found that patients who required opioid pain
medication, and who also had inadequate levels of vitamin D, were taking
much higher doses of pain medication — nearly twice as much —
as those who had adequate levels of vitamin D. These patients also reported
worse physical functioning and worse overall health. Vitamin D deficiency
may play a role in creating and sustaining pain. By testing for levels
of vitamin D, physicians may be able to significantly improve their
patients' pain, function, and quality of life. Turner MK, Hooten WM,
Schmidt JE, et al. Prevalence and clinical correlates of vitamin D inadequacy
among patients with chronic pain. Pain Med. 2008; 9(8):979-84.
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