Abstract
INTRODUCTION: Atopic Dermatitis (AD) is a common chronic inflammatory condition characterized clinically by pruritus and eczematous lesions. An inverse relationship has been suggested between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D concentration and severity of atopic dermatitis. AIM: We carried out this controlled cross-sectional study to evaluate the association between the serum vitamin D(3) levels and SCORAD index. MATERIALS AND METHODS: For this study, 40 patients with clinical diagnosis of AD based on UK diagnostic criteria were enrolled and 40 patients with minor ailments like superficial bacterial, fungal or viral infections and not suffering from atopic dermatitis were taken as controls. Salient presentations were recorded in a pre-set proforma. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were determined through Sandwich-ELISA technique. SCORAD (Scoring AD) index was used to evaluate the severity of the disease. RESULTS: Mean value of serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in cases was 30.38 nmol/l whereas in controls, it was 53.46 nmol/l. The decrease in serum levels in cases was statistically highly significant (p-value <0.001). Mean±S.D of serum vitamin D levels in mild disease was 33.29±5.89 nmol/l, in moderate disease was 31.52±6.04 nmol/l and in severe form of disease was 21.24±3.17nmol/l. The correlation between SCORAD and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels was also statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The data suggests an inverse relationship between serum levels of vitamin D(3) and the SCORAD Index.