Study of serum levels of Vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine in vitiligo

Abstract

Background: Vitiligo has a complex etiopathogenesis. The role of nutritional factors (including Vitamin B12and folic acid) has been recently proposed in its causation, which needs to be confirmed further. Aims: The study was conducted: (1) To estimate the serum levels of Vitamin B12, folic acid, and homocysteine in patients of vitiligo and control group. (2) To determine the relationship between serum levels of Vitamin B12, folic acid, homocysteine and the extent and activity of vitiligo. Methods: A cross-sectional, observational study consisting of 50 patients with vitiligo, and 35 age and sex matched controls was conducted. Serum homocysteine was estimated by Diazyme homocysteine enzymatic assay kit, and serum Vitamin B12and folic acid levels were estimated by chemiluminescence using the Access Immunoassay System. Results: The mean serum Vitamin B12and folate levels were found to be significantly lower in vitiligo patients than controls (157.18 ± 68.95 pg/mL vs. 306.6 ± 169.73 pg/mL and 4.18 ± 3.55 ng/mL vs. 7.3 ± 3.67 ng/mL, respectively), while serum homocysteine levels were significantly higher in cases (15.39 ± 7.2 μmol/L) as compared to controls (11.88 ± 4.81 μmol/L) (P < 0.05). There was a significant positive correlation of serum homocysteine levels with the duration of disease, Vitiligo Area Scoring Index (score), and type of vitiligo (higher levels in patients with universal vitiligo). Conclusions: Long standing vitiligo (especially universal and generalized variants) may show deranged serum homocysteine, Vitamin B12, and folic acid levels. Supplementation with Vitamin B12/folic acid may have a therapeutic role in improving the treatment outcome.