OBJECTIVES: Disproportionate vitamin D levels may play an important role in the development of certain systemic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare serological and clinical parameters in patients with different vitamin D levels from a single centre registry in Central-Eastern Europe. METHODS: A total of 177 patients with SLE were enrolled in the study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Autoantibody profiles, complement 3 (C3) and C4, clinical symptoms, and disease activity (using the SLE disease activity index, SLEDAI) of the patients were assessed. RESULTS: Vitamin D concentration in the total SLE group investigated was 26.88 ± 13.25 ng/mL. Vitamin D levels were normal (≥ 30 ng/mL) in 18.1% of patients, insufficient (15-30 ng/mL) in 44.6%, and deficient (< 15 ng/mL) in 37.3%. The vitamin levels were significantly reduced in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal patients (p = 0.02). Patients with pericarditis (p = 0.013), neuropsychiatric diseases (p = 0.01), and deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.014) had reduced vitamin D levels. SLEDAI score was significantly increased in patients with reduced vitamin D levels (p = 0.038). Anti-double-stranded (ds)DNA autoantibody concentrations increased from normal to insufficient and further increased from insufficient to deficient patient subsets (p = 0.021). Anti-Smith antigen (anti-Sm) concentrations increased (p < 0.001), C4 levels decreased (p = 0.027), and immunoglobulin (Ig)G concentration increased (p = 0.034) in patients with reduced vitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that vitamin D deficiency in SLE may play a role in perpetuation of the disease.
OBJECTIVES: Disproportionate vitamin D levels may play an important role in the development of certain systemic autoimmune and rheumatic diseases. The aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of vitamin Dinsufficiency in patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and to compare serological and clinical parameters in patients with different vitamin D levels from a single centre registry in Central-Eastern Europe. METHODS: A total of 177 patients with SLE were enrolled in the study. 25-Hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels were measured by chemiluminescent immunoassay (CLIA). Autoantibody profiles, complement 3 (C3) and C4, clinical symptoms, and disease activity (using the SLE disease activity index, SLEDAI) of the patients were assessed. RESULTS:Vitamin D concentration in the total SLE group investigated was 26.88 ± 13.25 ng/mL. Vitamin D levels were normal (≥ 30 ng/mL) in 18.1% of patients, insufficient (15-30 ng/mL) in 44.6%, and deficient (< 15 ng/mL) in 37.3%. The vitamin levels were significantly reduced in postmenopausal compared to premenopausal patients (p = 0.02). Patients with pericarditis (p = 0.013), neuropsychiatric diseases (p = 0.01), and deep vein thrombosis (p = 0.014) had reduced vitamin D levels. SLEDAI score was significantly increased in patients with reduced vitamin D levels (p = 0.038). Anti-double-stranded (ds)DNA autoantibody concentrations increased from normal to insufficient and further increased from insufficient to deficientpatient subsets (p = 0.021). Anti-Smith antigen (anti-Sm) concentrations increased (p < 0.001), C4 levels decreased (p = 0.027), and immunoglobulin (Ig)G concentration increased (p = 0.034) in patients with reduced vitamin D levels. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that vitamin D deficiency in SLE may play a role in perpetuation of the disease.
Authors: Bunyamin Kisacik; Suheyla Uzun Kaya; Yavuz Pehlivan; Turker Tasliyurt; Mehmet Sayarlioglu; Ahmet Mesut Onat Journal: Rheumatol Int Date: 2011-12-21 Impact factor: 2.631