Postępy Dermatologii i Alergologii

Abstract

4/2016 vol. 33
Original paper

The role of serum vitamin D levels in vitiligo

Adv Dermatol Allergol 2016; XXXIII (4): 300–302
Online publish date: 2016/08/16
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Introduction: Vitiligo is a common acquired pigmentary skin disorder. Vitamin D is responsible for skin pigmentation, increases tyrosinase activity and melanogenesis, and exhibits immunoregulatory functions. Low levels of vitamin D are associated with many autoimmune diseases, including systemic lupus, diabetes mellitus, rheumatoid arthritis, multiple sclerosis and alopecia areata. Few reports have evaluated serum vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients, and their results are conflicting.

Aim: To evaluate serum vitamin D levels of vitiligo patients and compare the results with controls.

Material and methods: In total, 50 vitiligo patients and 47 controls were enrolled in the study. Vitamin D levels were measured from blood samples. Group comparisons were performed using appropriate statistical methods.

Results: The patients had lower serum vitamin D levels than the controls, but this difference was not significant (p = 0.570).

Conclusions: It remains unknown whether vitamin D deficiency causes vitiligo. Larger controlled studies are required to prove whether low circulating vitamin D is a causative factor in vitiligo.
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