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Association of serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration with severity of multiple sclerosis
Ali Amini Harandi1, Saeed Shahbeigi, Hosein Pakdaman
1Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Background:
There is a known inverse association between solar radiation and the prevalence of multiple sclerosis (MS). Some studies have investigated the link between vitamin D and MS. The aim of this study was to investigate the possible association between serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration and the severity of disease in Iranian patients with MS.
Methods:
Patients with relapsing-remitting MS underwent neurological examination, including measurement of Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) score, and were categorized by disease severity into mild (0 ≤ EDSS ≤3), moderate (3.5 ≤ EDSS ≤5.5) and severe (6 ≤ EDSS). Serum concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium and parathyroid hormone were also measured.
Results:
A total of 78 (73.1% female) patients with MS were evaluated. The mean (± standard deviation) of age was 33.9 ± 9.2 years. The mean (± standard error) serum concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D3 were 36.6 ± 5.1 mg/dL, 50.1 ± 12.6 mg/dL and 19.8 ± 6.5 mg/dL in patients with mild, moderate and severe disease, respectively. There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration and EDSS score (P = 0.016, r= -0.273 by Spearman rank correlation test), which was observed in women only (P = 0.021, r = -0.305). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis suggested that a serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration cutoff of 16.5 mg/dL could differentiate patients with mild/moderate MS from severe disease with 74.6% accuracy.
Conclusion:
Our findings further support the association between vitamin D and disease severity in MS.
Insights
Lower vitamin D levels are linked to increased multiple sclerosis (MS) severity in Iranian women. This study highlights vitamin D
Area of Science:
- Neurology
- Endocrinology
- Immunology
Background:
- Multiple sclerosis (MS) prevalence shows an inverse association with solar radiation.
- Previous research suggests a link between vitamin D and MS.
- This study investigates serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 and MS disease severity in Iran.
Purpose of the Study:
- To examine the association between serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 levels and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease severity.
- To assess potential correlations in a cohort of Iranian MS patients.
Main Methods:
- Patients with relapsing-remitting MS were assessed using the Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) for disease severity.
- Serum concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathyroid hormone were measured.
- Statistical analyses, including Spearman rank correlation and ROC curve analysis, were employed.
Main Results:
- A statistically significant inverse correlation was found between serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration and EDSS score (P=0.016).
- This inverse correlation was specifically observed in female patients (P=0.021).
- A serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 cutoff of 16.5 mg/dL accurately differentiated mild/moderate from severe MS (74.6% accuracy).
Conclusions:
- Findings support an association between vitamin D status and multiple sclerosis (MS) disease severity.
- Lower vitamin D levels may be indicative of more severe MS, particularly in women.
- Further research into vitamin D supplementation for MS management is warranted.
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