Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and severity of seasonal allergic rhinitis in Karaganda region (Kazakhstan)

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is the one of the major public health problem affecting approximately one billion people all over the world. In recent years, the relationship of allergic diseases with a low concentration of vitamin D has been studied worldwide. An association has been found between small count of serum vitamin D and the development of immune disorders. Patients with allergic disorders and, in particular, with respiratory allergy are susceptible for VDD. Objective: The study was aimed to assess the levels of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) and their associations with the severity of seasonal allergic rhinitis in the Karaganda region (Kazakhstan). Material and methods: This cross-sectional study included 416 patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis aged 18-65 years (mean age 39±8 years), 267 of whom were females. VDD was defined as serum concentrations of 25(OH)D below 20 ng/ml. Results: The median concentration of 25(OH)D in blood serum was below the reference threshold (20 ng/ml) and amounted to 16.1 ng/ml. 75% of patients with seasonal allergic rhinitis had VDD and this was common in all age categories. VDD was more prevalent in female patients (82.8%) as compared with the male patients (61.1%) (p<0,01). Of interest is the fact that low serum 25(OH)D concentration correlated with the severity of symptoms (r =-0.94 and r =-0.67). Conclusion: According to our study, the significant part of patients with allergic rhinitis residing in Karaganda region (Kazakhstan) had deficient status of 25(OH)D and this correlated with the severity of symptoms.

Keywords

• adults
• vitamin D deficiency
• Karaganda region
• Kazakhstan