A recent study found that administration of a monthly dose (60,000 IU) of vitamin D supplementation during the early stages of pregnancy demonstrated a notable decrease in the occurrence of preeclampsia. The study results were published in the journal, BMC pregnancy and childbirth.

This randomised clinical trial included 1300 primigravid women (median maternal age: 21 years; the median gestational age: 15 weeks) who were randomly assigned in a 1:1 ratio to either the supplemented (A) or control (B) group. Pregnant women in group A received a monthly dose of cholecalciferol (60,000 IU) orally for 6 months during antenatal care, while the control group (B) did not receive any vitamin D supplementation or placebo. Serum 25(OH)D levels were checked at the beginning and at 34 weeks of gestation, with outcomes assessed monthly until delivery.

In the intervention group, there was a significant decrease in the risk of preeclampsia (RR = 0.36) and preterm delivery (RR = 0.5). Moreover, an RR of 0.43 was identified for low birth weight and the RR for caesarean section was 0.63. The supplemented group demonstrated significantly higher APGAR scores at the 5th minute and a larger size of newborns.

The above results demonstrate that a single monthly dosage of vitamin D supplementation in early pregnancy had a substantial impact on lowering the occurrence of preeclampsia, as well as mitigating the associated complications experienced by both the mother and the fetus.

A recent study suggests that that infertile men with obesity and low vitamin D status can attain adequate serum calcidiol (25OHD) levels through the supplementation of high-dose cholecalciferol (vitamin D3). This study’s findings were published in The British journal of nutrition.

The study was a double-blinded, randomized clinical trial conducted at a single center, with 307 infertile men assigned to either active treatment or a placebo for a period of 150 days. Participants in the active group were given an initial oral bolus of 300 000 mg of vitamin D3, followed by daily supplementation of 1400 mg of vitamin D3 and 500 mg of calcium.

At baseline, it was observed that men with a normal weight (BMI < 25 kg/m²) had notably higher levels of serum 25OHD compared to men who were overweight (BMI 25-30 kg/m²) and obese (BMI > 30 kg/m²) (48 nmol/l vs. 45 nmol/l and 39 nmol/l, respectively). Subsequently, after the intervention, it was found that men with normal weight, overweight, and obesity who received vitamin D3 treatment exhibited significantly higher levels of serum 25OHD in comparison to men in the corresponding placebo group (92 nmol/l vs. 53 nmol/l, 87 nmol/l vs. 49 nmol/l, and 85 nmol/l vs. 48 nmol/l; respectively).

Based on the above results, it can be concluded that high-dose vitamin D3 supplementation in obese infertile men with low vitamin D levels is effective in attaining optimal serum 25OHD levels.

According to a recent study, ultrasound guidance in radiofrequency ablation (RFA) targeting knee nerves has been shown to significantly decrease pain caused by knee osteoarthritis (KOA), enhance the function of the knee joint, improve patient satisfaction, and present a practical, safe, and successful minimally invasive procedure for elderly patients with moderate to severe KOA. This study’s findings were published in the journal, Pain Physician.

This prospective randomized controlled study included 120 patients who were aged 50 years or older, experiencing chronic knee joint pain for a minimum of 6 months, with a numeric rating scale (NRS) score of at least 4, and classified as grade III-IV based on the Kellgren-Lawrence system. The principle for selecting the target nerves was as follows: for medial knee pain, the inferior medial genicular nerve (IMGN) branch and superomedial genicular nerve (SMGN) branch of the saphenous nerve were chosen; for lateral pain, the superolateral genicular nerve (SLGN) branch of the femoral nerve was selected; and for total knee pain, the SMGN, IMGN, and SLGN branches were selected. The main outcomes measured were the NRS pain score (including the most severe pain), the percentage of patients who achieved a pain reduction of more than 2 points, and the average pain. The Western Ontario McMaster University Osteoarthritis Index (WOMAC) score was the secondary outcome measure. In the RFA group, RFA at 70ºC was conducted for 120 seconds per patient, while knee nerve blocks were administered in the control group.

At the end of the study, significant variations were observed in the mean NRS scores and worst pain levels among the treatment groups during the first, third, and, sixth months post-treatment. The mean WOMAC pain, physical function, and total scores differed significantly between the treatment groups and over time. Following treatment, the proportion of patients needing analgesic drugs was notably lower in the RFA group than in the control group.

Thus, it can be concluded that ultrasound guidance in RFA-applied knee nerves has been found to significantly alleviate pain caused by KOA. This minimally invasive procedure is considered safe and efficacious for elderly patients with moderate to severe KOA.