A case control study of vitamin D levels in patients with vitiligo

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Vitiligo is fairly commonly encountered disorder of pigmentation resulting in the presence of numerous depigmented macules and patches over the body. Vitamin D is an essential hormone synthesized in the skin. Levels of vitamin D have been found to be low in patients with vitiligo. The purpose of this study is to evaluate if vitamin D levels have any association with vitiligo, by estimating the levels of vitamin D in patients with vitiligo, and correlating type of vitiligo with vitamin D levels.</span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> A hospital based case control study was done in the Dermatology outpatient department of a tertiary center in South India from October 2014 to May 2016. About 45 consenting patients who fulfilled the inclusion criteria were chosen for the study. About 45 age and sex matched consenting individuals without vitiligo were chosen as controls from the Dermatology outpatient department. A detailed history and clinical examination of all the consenting subjects was done. Blood samples were collected from both the cases and controls by venepuncture and sera separated. The levels of Vitamin D were estimated using a vitamin D ELISA kit.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">There was no statistically significant difference in vitamin D levels between patients and controls. There was no correlation between type of vitiligo and vitamin D value. </span></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> <span lang="EN-IN">Vitamin D does not appear to have any role in vitiligo patients in this study.</span></p>