Sunscreens and vitamin D levels

Abstract

To the Editor:In the article entitled “Normal Vitamin D Levels Can Be Maintained Despite Rigorous Photoprotection...” by Sollitto et al, published in the December 1997 issue of the Journal, the authors state that “a randomized, double-blind Australian study of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF17) versus placebo demonstrated an (sic) decrease in the mean level of serum 1,25-(OH)2 D in the sunscreen group.”That was not the case and was not stated in the article that we wrote. The work in fact showed an increase in the mean level of serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 in the sunscreen group. It was not as high as the rise in the placebo-treated group. There was an equal rise in the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 in both the sunscreen and the placebo groups in our study so that there was no significant difference between them.In other words, the study by Sollitto et al reconfirmed what we have previously reported, that is, that the recommendation for regular use of sunscreen is unlikely to result in vitamin D deficiency. To the Editor:In the article entitled “Normal Vitamin D Levels Can Be Maintained Despite Rigorous Photoprotection...” by Sollitto et al, published in the December 1997 issue of the Journal, the authors state that “a randomized, double-blind Australian study of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF17) versus placebo demonstrated an (sic) decrease in the mean level of serum 1,25-(OH)2 D in the sunscreen group.”That was not the case and was not stated in the article that we wrote. The work in fact showed an increase in the mean level of serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 in the sunscreen group. It was not as high as the rise in the placebo-treated group. There was an equal rise in the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 in both the sunscreen and the placebo groups in our study so that there was no significant difference between them.In other words, the study by Sollitto et al reconfirmed what we have previously reported, that is, that the recommendation for regular use of sunscreen is unlikely to result in vitamin D deficiency. In the article entitled “Normal Vitamin D Levels Can Be Maintained Despite Rigorous Photoprotection...” by Sollitto et al, published in the December 1997 issue of the Journal, the authors state that “a randomized, double-blind Australian study of broad-spectrum sunscreen (SPF17) versus placebo demonstrated an (sic) decrease in the mean level of serum 1,25-(OH)2 D in the sunscreen group.” That was not the case and was not stated in the article that we wrote. The work in fact showed an increase in the mean level of serum 1,25-dihydroxy vitamin D3 in the sunscreen group. It was not as high as the rise in the placebo-treated group. There was an equal rise in the levels of 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 in both the sunscreen and the placebo groups in our study so that there was no significant difference between them. In other words, the study by Sollitto et al reconfirmed what we have previously reported, that is, that the recommendation for regular use of sunscreen is unlikely to result in vitamin D deficiency.