Does vitamin D deficiency in asthma affect clinical and functional parameters? A Turkish multicenter study

Area of Science:

• Immunology
• Pulmonology
• Endocrinology

Background:

• Growing interest in vitamin D's role in immune function and overall health.
• Vitamin D deficiency is a widespread concern globally.

Purpose of the Study:

• To examine the association between vitamin D levels and asthma severity in adult patients.
• To investigate the relationship between vitamin D and clinical/functional parameters in asthma.
• To assess vitamin D status across different geographic regions in Turkey.

Main Methods:

• Study included 384 adult asthma patients and 87 controls.
• Evaluated vitamin D levels, pulmonary function tests (FVC, FEV1), and Asthma Control Test scores.
• Recorded asthma exacerbations, treatment steps (GINA), and body mass index (BMI).

Main Results:

• Vitamin D deficiency was prevalent in both asthma patients (median 16.0 ng/mL) and controls (median 20.0 ng/mL), with lower levels in asthma patients (p=0.001).
• Lower vitamin D correlated negatively with asthma severity (p<0.001) and positively with lung function (FVC, FEV1, PEF) and asthma control (p≤0.001).
• Vitamin D deficiency was inversely related to BMI, asthma exacerbations, and hospitalizations (p=0.001).

Conclusions:

• High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency observed in adult asthma patients in Turkey.
• Vitamin D deficiency is significantly associated with increased asthma severity and poorer lung function.
• Maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may be crucial for asthma management and control.