The Relationship between Psoriasis and Serum Levels of Vitamin D

Introduction: Psoriasis is a common chronic inflammatory skin disease with complex pathophysiology. The role of vitamin D has recently arisen in many skin and systemic diseases including psoriasis through its modified effect of inflammatory and immunological mechanisms. Several studies have demonstrated its effects on keratinocytes' proliferation and differentiation, cutaneous immune system, regulating the microbial flora and the response to infective diseases.

Aim: this study aimed to compare serum levels of vitamin D in patients with psoriasis with its levels in control subjects without this disease, and to analyze the presence of a relationship between vitamin D status and the clinical features of psoriasis.

Methodology: This analytic observational case-control study included 174 patients (88 with psoriasis and 86 control subjects without psoriasis) all of them were resident in Latakia during a period of one year. Levels of 25-OH vitamin D were determined using ELISA test.

Results: Serum levels of vitamin D were significantly lower in the psoriatic patients than control individuals (12.51±9.57 vs. 16.53±7.22, P-v=0.002). There was no statistically significant correlation between serum vitamin D levels and the duration of disease, its clinical type, or the presence of nails, joints or palms and soles involvement. On the other hand, there was a significant negative correlation with severity of disease.

Conclusion: It is necessary to bear in mind that vitamin D deficiency is more common in psoriasis patients than controls and that infers the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of the disease.