High dose vitamin D may have a therapeutic role in certain cases of chronic pain associated with sickle cell anemia. - GreenMedInfo Summary

With age, individuals with sickle cell disease (SCD) experience daily chronic pain. Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) can result in chronic pain, osteoporosis, fractures, and muscle weakness. Several studies report a high prevalence of VDD in SCD; however, the clinical correlates have not been well described. We describe a case of SCD chronic pain associated with profound VDD, osteoporosis, and osteonecrosis. Treatment with high-dose vitamin D resulted in complete resolution of chronic pain symptoms and improvement in bone density. Randomized studies of vitamin D in SCD may help elucidate its role in the management of chronic pain and bone disease.