Serum vitamin D levels of atopic dermatitis in adolescents and its clinical significance

Abstract

Objective To investigate the relationship between the serum level of vitamin D and severity of atopic dermatitis (AD) in adolescents. Methods From March 2016 to February 2017, 102 adolescents with AD(AD group) and 100 healthy adolescents(control group) were selected.The distribution and serum levels of vitamin D in the two groups were compared.According to SCORing atopic dermatitis (SCORAD) score, AD patients were divided into mild group, moderate group and severe group.The levels of 25-(OH)D3, total IgE (TIgE) and peripheral blood eosinophil cells percentage(EOS%) were detected in the three groups. Results There was no statistically significant difference in the proportion of patients with vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency between the AD group and control group(χ2=2.718, P=0.257). The serum level of 25(OH)D3 in the AD group was lower than that in the control group[(18.43±3.73)μg/L vs.(19.47±3.27)μg/L, t=2.112, P=0.036]. The mean values of vitamin D deficiency, insufficiency and sufficiency in the AD group were (11.11±1.65)μg/L, (17.49±1.69)μg/L, (21.73±1.17)μg/L, respectively, which in the control group were (12.86±1.47)μg/L, (17.55±1.34)μg/L, (22.05±1.32)μg/L, respectively.The level of vitamin D deficiency in the AD group was significantly lower than that in the control group (t=2.588, P=0.017), but there were no statistically significant differences in vitamin D insufficiency and sufficiency between the AD group and control group.In 102 AD patients, 40 cases were mild, 29 cases were moderate and 33 cases were severe.The levels of 25-(OH)D3, TIgE and peripheral blood EOS% had statistically significant differences among the three groups (F=6.315, 35.813, 31.285, all P 0.05). Regarding the TIgE level and EOS%, severe group>moderate group>mild group(t=8.318, 8.788, all P<0.01; t=4.322, 4.784, all P<0.01). The value of 25-(OH)D3 was negatively correlated with the TIgE level(r=-302, P<0.01) and EOS%(r=-508, P<0.01) in the AD group. Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency exists in adolescents with AD.Low level of vitamin D is correlated with high TIgE level and EOS%.The severity of AD is closely correlated with increased serum levels of TlgE and EOS%, as well as decreased serum levels of vitamin D. Key words: Dermatitis, atopic; Adolescents; Vitamin D; Severity of illness index; IgE; Eosinophilia cell