ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Deficiency of vitamin D is reported to be an important factor associated with various dermatoses such as atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, urticaria, and skin cancers. However, this association is disputable and has not been clarified. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the status of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D in patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and chronic urticaria, and examine the relationship between vitamin D levels and disease severity/activity compared with sex- and age-matched healthy controls. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 23, 34, and 73 patients with atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria, respectively, and sex- and age-matched controls was conducted. Objective severity scoring of atopic dermatitis (eczema area and severity index) and psoriasis (psoriasis area and severity index), the urticaria activity score, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were measured for each subject. RESULTS: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were significantly lower in atopic dermatitis patients than those in the controls (p0.05). Furthermore, no significant inverse correlation was found between disease severity and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in atopic dermatitis, psoriasis, and chronic idiopathic urticaria patients (p>0.05). CONCLUSION: The impact of vitamin D in these dermatoses seems to be overestimated and needs further study to prove any true association.