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Two studies from Thailand and from Turkey revealed a
significant association of lower serum 25(OH)D
concentrations with chronic spontaneous urticaria
and support the contributing and beneficial effects
of vitamin D in the treatment of CU. Replacement of
vitamin D may provide improvement in both the
severity of symptoms and the quality of life scores
in these patients.
The study from Thailand
Vitamin D plays an important role in the immune
system; decreased serum vitamin D concentrations
have been linked to dysregulated immune function.
Low vitamin D status is probably associated with
chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU).
Researchers evaluated the prevalence of low vitamin
D status, and the clinical response and quality of
life following vitamin D supplementation, in a
prospective case-control study with 60 CSU patients
and 40 healthy individuals.
Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations
were measured at baseline and after 6 weeks. For
patients with 25(OH)D concentrations < 30 ng/ml,
treatment included 20,000 IU/day of ergocalciferol
(vitamin D2) and non-sedative antihistamine drugs
for 6 weeks.
Urticaria symptom severity and quality of life were
assessed based on the Urticaria Activity Score over
7 days (UAS7) and the Dermatology Life Quality Index
(DLQI).
Of the 100 participants, 73% were female; the mean
age was 39 ± 16 years. Vitamin D deficiency
(measured as 25(OH)D < 20 ng/ml) was significantly
higher in the CSU group than the control group.
The median 25(OH)D concentration for the CSU group,
15 (7 - 52) ng/ml was significantly lower than for
control group, 30 (25 - 46) ng/ml.
Overall, 83% (50/60) of CSU patients (25(OH)D < 30
ng/ml) were treated with ergocalciferol (vitamin D2)
supplementation and after 6 weeks, these patients
showed significant improvements in UAS7 and DLQI
scores compared with the non-vitamin D supplement
group.
This study revealed a significant association of
lower serum 25(OH)D concentrations with CSU. Vitamin
D supplements might improve symptoms and quality of
life in CSU patients.
The study from Turkey
Vitamin D plays a key role in the immune responses
generated by lymphocytes and antigen-presenting
cells.
Decreased vitamin 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D)
levels have been implicated in several allergic
disorders and association between 25(OH)D levels and
chronic urticaria (CU) symptom scores has been
evaluated in a few studies.
This study was performed to assess the effects of
vitamin D supplementation on the symptoms and
quality of life scores in chronic spontaneous
urticaria (CSU) and to vitamin D levels in CSU
patients in comparison with controls.
Fifty-eight CSU patients and forty-five controls
were included in the study. The patients were
divided into two groups according to severity of the
disease; as mild/moderate and severe urticaria.
Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations
were measured in serum of CSU patients and compared
with the control groups.
In patients with 25(OH)D concentrations lower than
30µg/L, 300.000 IU/month of vitamin D3
supplementation was added to standard therapy.
The clinical improvement was evaluated after 3
months with urticaria activity score (UAS4) and
Chronic Urticaria Quality of Life Questionnaire
(CU-Q2oL).
Serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly lower
in CSU group compared to healthy subjects (p<0.001).
The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (<20 (µg/L)
and insufficiency (<30µg/L) was significantly higher
in CSU patients than control groups.
In addition, 25(OH)D concentrations were
significantly lower in both mild-moderate and severe
CSU patients than those of the controls (p=0.011 and
p<0.001, respectively).
Ninety eight percent of patients (25(OH)D<30µg/L)
were treated with vitamin D3 (300.000 IU/month)
supplementation, and after 12 weeks, these patients
showed significant improvements in UAS4 and CU-Q2oL
scores.
This study support the contributing and beneficial
effects of vitamin D in the treatment of CU.
Replacement of vitamin D may provide improvement in
both the severity of symptoms and the quality of
life scores in these patients.
For more information
Vitamin D Supplements Improve Urticaria Symptoms and
Quality of Life in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria
Patients
A Prospective Case-Control
Study
Does replacement of vitamin D reduce the symptom
scores and improve quality of life in patients with
chronic urticaria?
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26295454.
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