Serum vitamin D levels and alopecia areata: A comparative cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the relation between serum vitamin D levels and alopecia areata. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study included patients with AA who were above 12 years of age and age- and sex-matched controls who attended the dermatology department of a tertiary care center during a period of 1 year. Serum Vitamin D level was determined in each participant. Serum Vitamin D levels documented in both groups were compared. Results: Thirty patients and 30 age- and sex-matched controls constituted the study population. The male-to-female ratio was 1.7:1. Most of the patients (9/30, 30%) were in the age group of 31–40 years. We observed patchy AA in 17 patients (56.7%). Nail involvement was seen in 9 patients (30%). Serum vitamin D levels were insufficient/deficient in 16 patients (53.3%), while in the age- and sex-matched comparison group, vitamin D was insufficient / deficient in 7 cases (23.3%). The difference was statistically significant (P = 0.03). No significant relation was noted either between serum vitamin D levels and number of alopecia lesions or between serum vitamin D levels and the clinical pattern of AA. No significant difference was noted in the vitamin D levels between patients who had involvement of only scalp and those who showed involvement of other body sites. Limitations: Small sample size was the major limitation of the study. Conclusion: Low serum vitamin D levels were more frequent in patients with AA in comparison to healthy controls.