Serum vitamin D levels in patients with atopic asthma

BackgroundIt must be obvious that no one factor should be held accountable for the etiology of allergic diseases, asthma or acute asthma exacerbations. Operating on a genetic basis many factors must play a role. It has been postulated that vitamin D deficiency, as a result of industrialization and Westernized lifestyles that have led to sun-avoidance behaviors and more time indoors, has a role in the development of asthma and allergies (Green, 2010) [1].ObjectiveTo assess the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and severity of asthma in patients with atopic asthma.Patients and methodsThe study was carried out on 30 patients with atopic asthma, divided into three groups according to severity of airway obstruction, and ten healthy control subjects. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH) D], a vitamin D metabolite, was measured using an immunodiagnostic ELISA technique.Results86% of all asthmatic patients were vitamin D insufficient, as defined by a level ⩽30 ng/ml 25(OH) Vit D. Mean vitamin D levels were the lowest in patients with severe asthma.ConclusionVitamin D insufficiency is common in patients with atopic asthma that is correlated with its degree of severity.