Korean J Dermatol.  2021 Dec;59(10):749-760.

Association of Psoriasis with Serum Vitamin D and Lipid Levels: A Clinical Review of Korean Patients in a Single Tertiary Referral Center

• Park HJ
• Lee HJ
• Choi YJ
• Kim WS
• Lee GY

Abstract

Background
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory autoimmune disease. Some studies have demonstrated a relationship of psoriasis with vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency or serum lipid levels.
Objective
We aimed to compare serum levels of Vit D and lipids in patients with active psoriasis and control subjects. Additionally, we analyzed the relationship of disease severity with serum Vit D and lipid levels.
Methods
A total of 243 patients were retrospectively analyzed. Statistical data were evaluated, and the values were considered significant at p＜0.05.
Results
Statistically significant difference in Vit D levels between the psoriasis (n=117) and the control groups (n=126) was not found. In addition, an association between Vit D levels and the disease severity, using the psoriasis area and severity index (PASI) was not observed. The proportion of overweight patients (body mass index [BMI]≥ 23 kg/m² ) was higher in the psoriasis group than in the control group, and there was a significant relationship between the increase in PASI and the serum triglycerides (TG) levels (p＜0.05).
Conclusion
The psoriasis and control groups did not show a statistical difference in serum Vit D levels. In the subgroup analysis of cases with normal BMI, excluding the underlying disease, no significant difference in Vit D levels between the two groups was observed. However, the association of psoriasis with factors, such as BMI and TG, was found to be significant; hence, these could be therapeutic targets in patients with psoriasis to improve their quality of life. Controlled and well-designed studies are required in the future.

Keyword

Body mass index; Psoriasis; Psoriasis area and severity index; Triglycerides; Vitamin D deficiency