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Vitamin D deficiency in systemic lupus erythematosus
Diane L Kamen1, Glinda S Cooper, Henda Bouali
1Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, SC, USA. kamend@musc.edu
Autoimmunity Reviews
|January 25, 2006
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk factor for Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE). Lower vitamin D levels were observed in SLE patients, particularly those with kidney disease or photosensitivity.
Area of Science:
- Immunology
- Endocrinology
- Rheumatology
Background:
- Vitamin D is a modifiable environmental factor implicated in autoimmune diseases like RA, MS, and T1D.
- Its role in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) in humans remains understudied.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in recently diagnosed SLE patients versus controls.
- To investigate the relationship between 25(OH)D levels and disease characteristics in SLE patients.
Main Methods:
- Utilized data from a population-based cohort of 123 SLE patients and 240 matched controls.
- Analyzed serum 25(OH)D levels, controlling for age, sex, season, and smoking.
Main Results:
- A trend of lower 25(OH)D in SLE cases compared to controls was observed, significant in Caucasians (p=0.04).
- 67% of subjects were vitamin D deficient; African Americans had significantly lower mean levels (15.9 ng/ml) than Caucasians (31.3 ng/ml).
- Critically low vitamin D (<10 ng/ml) was found in 22 SLE cases, with renal disease (OR 13.3) and photosensitivity (OR 12.9) as strong predictors.
Conclusions:
- Vitamin D deficiency may be a potential risk factor for SLE.
- Findings support further research into vitamin D's role in SLE prevention and treatment.
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