RESUMEN
Background: During the last decade, a lot of co-morbidities (diabetes, obesity, heart disease, etc.) have been described to be associated with psoriasis, but the exact link at the molecular level is not well-known. Researchers have shown molecular level changes in vitamin D pathway and its relationship to cathelicidin. Aims: To estimate the levels of cathelicidin (LL-37), and vitamin D in psoriasis patients with co-morbidities, and compare them with matched healthy controls. Methods: One hundred consecutive patients with stable plaque psoriasis (psoriasis area and severity index ≥10) with no systemic treatment in the past 3 months were investigated for the serum levels of vitamin D and LL-37, and compared with equal number of matched healthy volunteers. Results: The serum vitamin D levels were significantly lower in patients. Furthermore, the levels of serum LL-37were significantly high. Conclusion: Our study showed that the low serum levels of vitamin D, and higher blood levels of cathelicidin could form a molecular level clue in the pathogenesis of psoriasis patients, who are more likely to develop co-morbidities.
RESUMEN
Background: The primary cause of skin cancers is exposure to ultraviolet (UV) radiation. And, for decades sun protection has been promoted in various public health education campaigns. Recently, however, vitamin D deficiency has been related to increased risk of skin cancers. And, skin being the primary site for the synthesis of active form of vitamin D, excessive sun protection could lead to vitamin D-deficient states. But, the results have so far been conflicting. Aims: To study the level of awareness, knowledge and attitude of representative groups from the general population from Kuwait towards sun protection. And, also study the correlation of the level of sun protective measures used and vitamin D levels in these groups. Methods: The study constituted of two main parts. First part comprised a questionnaire-based survey of representative group of people aged 18 and above to assess their knowledge, awareness and attitude towards sun protection. The second part consisted of measuring serum vitamin D levels in 150 volunteers amongst the responders of the questionnaire, who had been regularly using sunscreens for at least 2 years and compare to the levels seen in 150 age and sex-matched responders of similar skin phototypes, who had never used sunscreens. Results: Out of the total of 1044 responders, 80% of them had adequate knowledge of the beneficial and harmful effects of sun exposure, and had been using sunscreens regularly, and adopting other sun protective measures in their daily life. The levels of vitamin D were found to be deficient in both sunscreen users and those who had never used sunscreens. The difference between the two groups was statistically insignificant (60.67% vs 54.67%; P value>0.001). Conclusion: Population at large seems to be adequately informed about the beneficial and deleterious effects of sun exposure. Vitamin D levels are deficient in majority of our people, and there is a need to do larger surveys covering all parts of the country and give supplemental doses of vitamin D to those found deficient.