ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Low vitamin D serum levels have been associated with many autoimmune disorders and several other skin diseases. Vitiligo is an autoimmune disease characterized by destruction of melanocytes by immune mechanisms. Melanocytes express vitamin D receptors, and their function can be affected by vitamin D status. OBJECTIVES: The main objective of this study is to compare vitamin D levels in patients with vitiligo vs normal population and whether vitamin D deficiency is associated with vitiligo. METHODS: A case-control study was conducted. 100 vitiligo patients and 100 as controls were included in this study. Serum vitamin D level was measured for both vitiligo patients and controls, results were compared, and statistical analysis was done to compare the results. RESULTS: The median age of vitiligo cases was 23 years (ranges, 2-80). 58% of vitiligo patients were females. The median vitamin D level was not significantly different between the two groups (vitiligo = 14.1 (IQR 9.9-20.4) vs control = 16.5 (IQR 10.3-25.3) (P=0.28)). Most vitiligo cases and controls were found to have low levels of vitamin D (either insufficient 20-30 ng/mL or low <20 ng/mL). CONCLUSIONS: There was no significant difference in vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients compared to controls. However, vitamin D levels were generally low in both groups.
