Vitamin D Status in Moroccan Patients with Pemphigus
M. Bouaddi *
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V–Souissi, Rabat, Morocco.
I. Bouaddi
Department of Rheumatology, El-Ayachi Hospital, University Hospital of Rabat-Salé, Salé, Morocco
K. Jouid
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V–Souissi, Rabat, Morocco.
H. Benzzi
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V–Souissi, Rabat, Morocco.
R. Abouqal
Laboratory of Biostatistical, Clinical and Epidemiological Research, University Hospital of Rabat-Salé, Rabat, Morocco
F. Allali
Department of Rheumatology, El-Ayachi Hospital, University Hospital of Rabat-Salé, Salé, Morocco
N. Hajjaj-Hassouni
Department of Rheumatology, El-Ayachi Hospital, University Hospital of Rabat-Salé, Salé, Morocco.
B. Hassam
Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University Mohammed V–Souissi, Rabat, Morocco
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
Objective: The aim of this study was to assess the vitamin D status and the factors that may influence this vitamin in Moroccan patients with pemphigus.
Study Design: case-control study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Dermatology at the University Hospital of Rabat-Salé between 2012 and 2013.
Methods: In this case-control study, 30 patients with pemphigus were included. Sixty healthy persons were recruited to serve as controls. The patients underwent anthropometric assessment and clinical evaluation. Serum 25 hydroxyvitamin [25(OH) D] D2 and D3 were measured using radioimmunoassay. Hypovitaminosis D was defined as serum 25(OH) D <30 ng/ml.
Results: The average age of participants was 56 years ± 11.4. Hypovitaminosis D was observed in 100% of patients. The prevalence of hypovitaminosis D was higher (p <0.001) in patients than in controls. Serum 25(OH) D levels were associated with disease duration (r=0.34, p=0.05), ESR (r=-0.31, p=0.05) and PTH (r=-0.66, p<0.001). No relationship was found between serum 25(OH) D levels and the other characteristics related to patients or pemphigus.
Conclusions: Our study suggested that serum levels of vitamin D were significantly lower in Moroccan patients with pemphigus. Future studies with a larger population are needed to confirm our results.
Keywords: Pemphigus, 25-hydroxyvitamin D.