Korean J Dermatol.  2016 Feb;54(2):105-111.

Correlation between the Severity of Atopic Dermatitis and Serum Vitamin D Levels

• Jung HN
• Lee HJ
• Oh IB
• Lee JH
• Choi YS
• Suh HS

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Vitamin D is known to play roles in immunity through the stimulation of Toll-like receptors, regulating pro-inflammatory cytokine production, and increasing antimicrobial peptide production. Recent studies have revealed the role of vitamin D deficiency in the immunopathogenesis of atopic dermatitis (AD).
OBJECTIVE
We aimed to assess the correlation between vitamin D concentrations and the severity of AD and also elucidate the relationship between the amount of sunlight exposure and serum 25-Hydroxy vitamin (25(OH)D) levels using the sunlight exposure questionnaire.
METHODS
Sixty-one Korean patients with AD and 120 healthy control patients were enrolled. We evaluated the disease severity using the SCORAD index and measured the serum levels of 25(OH)D, and total IgE levels and eosinophil counts. All patients completed a one-week recall sunlight exposure questionnaire.
RESULTS
There was no significant difference in the 25(OH)D levels between the two groups. Eosinophil counts (p <0.001) were significantly higher in patients with AD than in control patients. A significant inverse correlation (r= -0.309, p=0.015) was found between the SCORAD score and 25(OH)D levels. A significant positive correlation (r=0.236, p=0.001) was found between the weekly sunlight exposure score and the serum levels of 25(OH)D.
CONCLUSION
Our study suggests that vitamin D deficiency is related to the severity of AD and the serum 25(OH)D concentration is positively correlated with the sunlight exposure score.

Keyword

Atopic dermatitis; SCORAD; Vitamin D; Vitamin D deficiency

MeSH Terms

Dermatitis, Atopic*
Eosinophils
Humans
Immunoglobulin E
Sunlight
Toll-Like Receptors
Vitamin D Deficiency
Vitamin D*
Vitamins*
Immunoglobulin E
Toll-Like Receptors
Vitamin D
Vitamins