Vitamin D receptor polymorphism is a disorder that causes your body to not use vitamin D efficiently. This disorder has been implicated in a number of autoimmune and neurological disorders, such as Crohn’s disease, multiple sclerosis, elevated breast cancer risk, and lupus.
Now researchers have found an association between Vitamin D receptor polymorphism and low bone density in adolescents with idiopathic scoliosis. Since low bone density, especially in the hip joint and lumbar spine areas, can cause progression of the spinal curvature, it is important for your doctor to check for this disorder when low bone density has been identified.
This check is a simple blood test, which looks at the 25, OH form of vitamin D3 as well as the 1,25 dihydroxy form of vitamin D. This test can tell your doctor whether or not you are getting enough vitamin D3 in your diet or through sun exposure, and also whether or not that vitamin D is being converted and stored in your bone, thereby increasing bone mineral density.
This study illustrates the importance of having a comprehensive management approach to scoliosis so that each patient has the best chance of achieving and maintaining long-term scoliosis correction and stabilization.
For details on comprehensive scoliosis management, visit the North American Scoliosis Initiative, at www.scoliosis3d.com
Source: August 2010 in Eur Spine J, 19(9): 1545-5
