A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis of Association between Serum Vitamin D and Atopic Dermatitis

Abstract

Objective: The relationship between vitamin D and atopic dermatitis remains controversial. Here, we systemati- callyreviewed and meta-analyzed the associationbetween serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D concentration (25(OH) D) andatopic dermatitis (AD), AD severity, andthe benefitsof oral vitamin D supplementation. Methods: A total of 15 observational studies and 5 RCTs from 12 countries were included in this review. The effects of vitamin D deficiency or vitamin D level on AD and standardized AD severity score were performed using a random-effects model on 3 aspects: 1) serum vitamin D and risk of AD, 2) serum vitamin D level and severityof AD, and3) the benefits of oralvitamin D supplementation on AD severity. Results: Theanalysis showedserum25(OH)D deficiency marginallyincreasedtheriskof AD (OR =1.55,95%CI = 0.94 - 2.55, p = 0.084). Low serum 25(OH)D was correlated with greater AD severity (r = -0.29, 95%CI = -0.504 to -0.048, p = 0.020), and oral vitamin D supplementation helped reduced AD severity score by 0.963 standard deviation(95%CI=0.23 to1.70,p=0.011). Conclusion: Theassociationbetweenserum25(OH)D deficiencyandriskof AD wasstillcontroversial. However, our meta-analysis suggestedthathigher serum 25(OH)D isassociated withlower severityof AD. Moreover,oral vitamin D supplementation also helps to reduce AD severity.

Keywords

• Atopic dermatitis
• vitamin D
• systematic review
• meta-analysis