Assessment of Serum Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Vitiligo in Jordan: A Case-Control Study

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.