TABLE 3.

Studies Investigating an Association Between Vitamin D Deficiency and Decreased Cartilage Thickness

Authors	Study Design	Sample	Vitamin D Serum Level Measurements	Finding
Malas et al31	Prospective cohort	80 patients classified into 3 subgroups according to vitamin D levels were examined	Vitamin D deficiency <10 ng/mL Vitamin D insufficiency = 10.1-20.0 ng/mL Vitamin D sufficient ≥20 ng/mL	The severe deficiency group had thinner femoral cartilage thickness, and it was concluded low vitamin D levels affect femoral cartilage thickness negatively
Chaganti et al11	Cross- sectional	1104 men with hip osteoarthritis were followed over 4.6 years	Vitamin D deficiency <15 ng/mL Vitamin D insufficiency = 15.1-30.0 ng/mL Vitamin D sufficient >30 ng/mL	Men with vitamin D deficiencies were at higher risk for hip osteoarthritis