The Vitamin D Effect on Osteoarthritis (VIDEO) Study: a randomised controlled trial

The VIDEO study is a randomised controlled trial to explore the effects of the vitamin D supplementation on knee structural changes (cartilage and bone) utiliing pioneering MRI techniques and limb muscle strength assessment in osteoarthritis patients. It is being supported by National Health & Medical Research Council (NHMRC ID 605501) and is in conjunction with Monash University in Melbourne.

Osteoarthritis, characterised by gradual loss of cartilage, is the most common joint disorder in the world. It is one of the most frequent causes of pain, loss of function and disability in adults. Osteoarthritis of the knee is particularly common and currently there is no therapy that can slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency plays an important role in the development of knee osteoarthritis, with low levels of vitamin D being associated with faster loss of cartilage from the knee joint. However, we do not know if correcting vitamin D deficiency using vitamin D supplements will slow this loss of cartilage and thus slow the worsening of knee osteoarthritis.

In the VIDEO study we aim to see if using a vitamin D supplement to correct vitamin D deficiency can slow the progression of osteoarthritis. Vitamin D deficiency [defined as serum level of 25-hydroxy-vitamin D(25-(OH)D) < 50 nmol/l] is very common in older people. High rates of vitamin D deficiency have been reported in all sectors of the community especially in Tasmania and Victoria where this study will be conducted.

VIDEO is a randomised, placebo-controlled double-blind clinical trial. We are recruiting 400 subjects (200 in Southern Tasmania and 200 in Melbourne) between the ages of 50 - 79 with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Subjects are tested for vitamin D deficiency and those with mild to moderate vitamin D deficiency [serum 25-(OH) D levels between 12.5 and 60 nmol/L] participate in this study.

Recent progress is available on the Progress Report (PDF 571.9KB).

Research Groups

Related Diseases

Staff

Senior Members

Team Members

External Collaborators

  • Professor Flavia Cicuttini - Monash University
  • Associate Professor Anita Wluka - Monash University