INTRODUCTIONAD is a chronic relapsing eczematous skin disease characterized by pruritus and inflammation and accompanied by cutaneous physiological dysfunction [1]. Vitamin D deficiency is the pandemic and most under-diagnosed and under-treated nutritional deficiency in the world [2]. Vitamin D maintains the integrity of the permeability barrier, can stimulate or inhibit keratinocyte differentiation and stimulate synthesis of proteins such as filaggrin that are necessary for formation of stratum corneum barrier [3]. Statistics have shown a rising trend in the occurrence of AD in India in last four decades. Studies shows that vitamin D plays a role in AD pathogenesis mainly through its immunomodulatory action [4]. Most of data related to AD is available from hospital based studies [5]. SCORAD is a clinical tool used to assess the extent and severity of eczema [6].Peroni DG et al., found that vitamin D deficiency may be related to the severity of atopic dermatitis [7]. Han TY et al., conducted a study on 72 Korean childrens and adults it was found that serum-25 hydroxyvitamin D concentration was not significantly correlated with AD severity [8].Our study was a hospital based controlled cross-sectional study, a first of its kind in north western region of India. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D {25(OH)D3} levels and SCORAD Index. MATERIALS AND METHODSIt was a controlled cross-sectional study conducted in the Department of Dermatology after taking approval from ethical committee. Eighty patients of either sex between age group of 2 to 18 years attending the outpatient department of skin and STD were enrolled. The study was conducted between the months of June 2016 to November 2016. These patients were divided into 2 groups, where, in group A, 40 patients of AD were taken according to the UK refinement of the Hanifin and Rajka diagnostic criteria [9] for atopic eczema and in group B, 40 patients of same age group were taken attending Skin and STD department with minor ailments like superficial bacterial, fungal or viral infections and not suffering from AD. Patients with any chronic dermatitis other than atopic dermatitis, patients with chronic medical illness like diabetes mellitus, hypertension and tuberculosis, patients with current consumption of vitamin D (within two months), patients receiving concomitant treatment with the ability to influence vitamin D3 and patients suffering from bowel disease with malabsorption of vitamin D3 were not included in the study groups.Physical and dermatological examination was done for every patient. The detailed history (age, sex, occupation, residence, total duration of disease, associated itching, seasonal variation, asthma, allergic rhinitis, atopy and family history of AD) was recorded in a proforma. The blood samples of all the cases and controls were assessed on the same day.The SCORAD index includes the assessment, by a physician, of objective signs (extent and intensity) and of subjective symptoms (pruritus and s...

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> Recently it has been observed that psoriasis can be successfully controlled by use of vitamin D. This has attracted the curiosity into research on psoriasis and vitamin D as well as role of calcium supplements in the control of psoriasis. Studies have shown that psoriasis risk factor is hypocalcemia. The objective of the study was to analyse serum calcium levels in patients of psoriasis and correlation with severity of psoriasis in comparison with control subjects without psoriasis.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This study recruited 80 subjects, of psoriasis (age and sex control subjects without psoriasis) attending Skin and STD department, Government Medical College Amritsar, Punjab. Both patients and controls studied during period of 2 year from June 2015 to May 2017.<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Serum calcium levels were significantly lower in psoriasis patients than in controls. Serum calcium levels values in patients of mild severity (PASI &lt;10), moderate severity (PASI: 11-20) and severe (PASI &gt;21) were 9.00±0.20, 8.93±0.24 &amp; 8.98±0.22 respectively.</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Serum calcium levels were found lower in psoriasis patients and there were no correlation with severity of psoriasis. Hypocalcemia is a risk factor of psoriasis.</p>

Background: Some of the nail changes seen in certain dermatological or systemic pathologies may be unique to concerned condition. The knowledge of such nail changes may be immensely helpful in the diagnosis of some of these pathologies. Nail changes may precede other signs in some conditions and in these cases nail changes may help in early diagnosis. Various components of the nails which may get affected may include nail matrix, nail plate, nail bed and vasculature. We conducted this prospective study to know the prevalence of nail changes in various dermatological and systemic illnesses in patients attending dermatology outpatient department and patients admitted in different wards of our teaching institute. Aims and Objectives: (1) To study various nail changes in association with skin and systemic diseases. (2) To assess the diagnostic and prognostic significance of various nail changes. (3) To find our various etiological factors of the nail diseases. Methods: After approval from institutional ethical committee and obtaining informed consent from the patients nail changes were studied in patients attending dermatology OPD and those patients who were admitted in various wards of our institute. History, investigations and general and systemic examination was done in all the patients. Patients were included in this study on the basis of predefined inclusion and exclusion criteria. Nail and toes were examined for the changes such as dystrophy, ridging, thinning of nail plates, presence of Ptrygium, pigmentation and onycholysis. The changes were studied and their association with skin and systemic diseases was determined. Data analysis was carried out using SPSS16.0 version software. Results: In this prospective study of 225 patients there were 142 males (63.1 %) and 83 females (36.9 %) with a M: F ratio of 1:0.58. Most common age group to be affected was found to be 21-30 years and 31-40 years followed by 41-50 years and 51-60 years. The most common nail change was found to be onychomycosis (31.1 %) followed by paronychia (16%), psoriasis (11.5 %) and nail dystrophy (8.8 %). Longitudinal ridging, thinning of nail plates, pitting, Ptrygium and pigmentation were common changes seen in patients with lichen planus. Conclusion: Examining the patients for nail changes which may be seen in association with various dermatological and systemic conditions is an integral part of dermatology practice. These nail changes may precede the other signs and symptoms of the diseases and hence may be crucial in early diagnosis of such conditions.