Abstract
Background-Vitamin D deficiency is on the rise and has been associated with many chronic and autoimmune diseases. The objective of this study is to determine the association of Vitamin D with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE).
Methodology- A case control study was done on 42 confirmed Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) patients attending Department of Dermatology and Venerology and Department of Medicine, at Silchar Medical College and Hospital and 50 age and gender matched healthy controls. All the samples were checked for ANA, dsDNA, ANCA by immunofluorescence and Vitamin D levels by radioimmunoassay.
Results- In the SLE cases group, mean Vitamin D levels were estimated to be 17.57 with a standard deviation of 4.51. The control group had mean of 52.23 with a standard deviation of 2.01. Paired test done between the Vitamin D levels in SLE cases and control groups, revealed a p value of <0.001 and was considered statistically significant. After supplementation with Vitamin D, the mean in the SLE cases group was 46.82 with a standard deviation of 14.65. Paired sample t test was done with the data obtained before and after supplementation of Vitamin D in the SLE cases group, and was found to be <0.001 and was considered statistically significant. Within the various types/patterns of ANA, there was no significant association as the p value obtained was 0.21 before supplementation and 0.09 after supplementation. Hence, it was considered statistically insignificant.
Conclusion-Vitamin D is statistically decreased in SLE patients as compared to healthy individuals. But there was no significant association of Vitamin D with the various ANA patterns among SLE patients.