Hypovitaminosis D is Associated with Psoriasis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory and immune-mediated skin disease that affects over 7.2 million U.S. adults. Current treatment has improved clinical outcomes. Vitamin D is believed to affect the proliferation and regeneration of keratinocytes; therefore, its deficiency is a possible risk factor; however, there is still no definite evidence. The objective of this study was to synthesize existing data on the relationship between hypovitaminosis D and psoriasis.

A meta-analysis of relevant studies was conducted by doing a comprehensive search in the MEDLINE, EMBASE, and the Cochrane Central Register through July 2018 to identify relevant cohort studies and to assess serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in adults with psoriasis. The primary outcome was the mean difference in serum 25(OH)D level between psoriatic patients and controls.

The initial search identified 107 articles. Only ten studies met the criteria for full-paper review. Meta-analysis was conducted from ten prospective cohort studies involving 6,217 controls and 693 cases. The pooled mean difference in serum 25(OH)D level between psoriatic patients and controls was -6.13 ng/ml (95% CI, -10.93 to -1.32, p-value = 0.01). The between-study heterogeneity (I²) was 98%, p < 0.00001.

Our meta-analysis was the first study to establish the relation between vitamin D and psoriasis. The result found a significant relationship between low 25(OH) D levels and psoriasis, but did not establish a causal relationship. Further studies will be required to establish whether vitamin D supplementation benefits patients with psoriasis.