Korean J Fam Pract.  2020 Jun;10(3):223-230. 10.21215/kjfp.2020.10.3.223.

Association between Vitamin D and Allergic Disease and Cataract in Korean Adults

• Jeon Y
• Song Y

• KMID: 2502991
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.21215/kjfp.2020.10.3.223

Abstract

Background
“Vitamin D hypothesis” is a recently suggested theory that the allergic diseases caused by immunodeficiency develop due to Vitamin D deficiency. Moreover, vitamin D is reportedly associated with cataracts, a complication of atopic dermatitis. Despite this association of vitamin D with allergic diseases and cataracts, there is little research on the association between these two diseases. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the relationship between allergic diseases and cataracts.
Methods
We used data from the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey and measured 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels by performing blood test. Data on individual characteristics were obtained using self-reported questionnaires, interviews, and physical examination. Those with insufficient data pertaining to blood tests and questionnaires, medical history, and physical examination were excluded. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the correlation between allergic diseases (and related factors) and cataracts.
Results
We found that allergic rhinitis, IgE, and vitamin D were associated with cataracts. However, atopic dermatitis, asthma, and Zn were not associated with cataracts.
Conclusion
The prevalence of cataract in was greater among Korean adults with no allergic rhinitis and those with higher serum IgE and vitamin D levels.

Keyword

Allergy; Cataract; Vitamin D; Adults