The association between serum vitamin D level and immunoglobulin E in Korean adolescents

Vitamin D has immune modulatory functions, and thus its relationship with allergic disease has been evaluated in a number of studies. However, no concrete link between serum IgE level and vitamin D has been established. Thus, the purpose of study was to confirm the association of serum vitamin D level with the serum IgE (total and Dematophagoides farinae specific IgE) in Korean adolescents.

A total of 365 subjects between 10 and 18 years of age were enrolled through the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Serum levels of vitamin D, total IgE, and Dermatophagoides farinae (Df) specific IgE were measured, and data for potential confounding variables were collected. Multivariate regression analyses were used to determine the independent effects of these variables.

Levels of both total and Df specific IgE were positively correlated with serum concentration of vitamin D (Spearman's rho (R)=0.126, p=0.016; R=0.152, p=0.004, respectively). These results were confirmed by multivariate linear regression analysis after adjusting for sex, age, and body mass index (coefficient (B): 10.45 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.59-20.31; B: 1.06, 95% CI: 0.31-1.80, respectively). And, the association between serum vitamin D and IgE showed the different results depending on the presence or absence of Df sensitization.

Serum concentration of vitamin D was positively associated with levels of both total IgE and Df-specific IgE in Korean adolescents.