Hospital-based cross-sectional study to assess Vitamin D levels in patients of chronic spontaneous urticaria and its relation to severity of disease activity

Abstract

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess and evaluate Vitamin D levels in CSU cases and compare with controls and to determine a correlation if any between Vitamin D levels and severity of CSU. Material and Methods: A hospital-based case–control study of 130 cases and 130 controls was done. The assessment of severity of CSU was done using Urticaria Activity Score (UAS7). Laboratory investigations including Vitamin D levels were done in both groups. Results: Mean serum Vitamin D levels in cases and controls were 14.29 ng/ml and 28.8 ng/ml, respectively. Ninety-nine (76.2%) cases had deficient levels, 25 had insufficient levels, and six had normal levels. In controls, 63 had normal serum Vitamin D levels, 46 had insufficient, and 21 (16.1%) had deficient levels (t = −13.2340; P < 0.001). Cases with Vitamin D levels <10 ng/ml, 10–20 ng/ml, 20–30 ng/ml, and >30 ng/ml had mean UAS score of 18, 15.17, 7.28, and 6.67, respectively. Conclusion: In this study, deficient Vitamin D levels were more commonly seen in cases as compared to controls and correlated inversely with the severity of disease as measured by UAS7. Vitamin D might be one among the multiple factors involved in etiopathogenesis/exacerbation of CSU or may be an outcome of the disease process. Adding Vitamin D supplements may improve clinical outcome in patients of CSU and reduce use of corticosteroids and immunosuppressive.