Association of vitamin D status and clinical and radiological outcomes in a treated MS population in Poland

Abstract

BackgroundVitamin D influences the immune system significantly. Previous studies have found that vitamin D deficiency in adolescence can play a significant role in increasing the risk of developing autoimmune diseases including multiple sclerosis. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between the vitamin D status in serum and clinical and radiological outcomes in a treated population in Poland.MethodsInclusion criteria met 83 adult patients aged 20–61 years with diagnosis of relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis, who underwent immunomodulatory treatment which lasted at least 12 months. Levels of serum 25‐hydroxyvitamin D were determined using radio‐immuno assay. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain and cervical part of a spinal cord was performed each time after 12 months of the treatment. Patients were assessed neurologically after 12 months of treatment, the level of disability was also assessed using Extended Disability Status Scale.ResultsThe largest group (63.8%) showed significant vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml), 21.7% showed the suboptimal level of vitamin D (20–30 ng/ml). The normal level of 25(OH)D (>30 ng/ml) was observed in 14.5% of the patients. Statistically significant correlation was observed between the vitamin D status and frequency of relapses.ConclusionsOur findings confirm that deficiency of vitamin D in patients with MS is correlated with clinical and radiological course of the disease.

Multiple Sclerosis incidence rate in southern Iran: A Bayesian epidemiological study

“…Zarindasht county, located in south with hot and dry climate and high temperature, had the lowest incidence rate. This result is in line with previous studies that showed maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D (as one of the environmental factors) have a protective effect, resulting in lower risk of developing autoimmune diseases including MS [29][30][31]. The results of this study also showed that larger cities, located in the center of province, especially Shiraz and Abadea in northeast had high MS incidence rates.…”

“…Our results showed that the percentage of Vitamin D3 intake and smoking can be associated with reduced risk of MS incidence, which is in line with previous studies that had suggested maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D can have a protective effect by lowering the risk of developing autoimmune diseases including MS [29][30][31]. When a person has MS, his or her immune system attacks the coating that protects nerve cells.…”

“…Research suggests a signi cant positive effect of vitamin D on the immune system. [29][30][31]35]. Smoking as a risk factor can in uence the course of MS [16,36,37].…”

Multiple Sclerosis incidence rate in southern Iran: A Bayesian epidemiological study

“…There is no clear explanation as to why, but Dehghani et al 2017 introduced urbanization as a major risk factor in incidence rate of MS in Iran [39]. In addition , Sahraian et al 2017b indicated that the impact of air pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, exposure to industrial solvents, low exposure to sunlight, infectious agents and smoking have increased incidence rate of MS among urban dwellers [40] Our results showed that the percentage of Vitamin D3 intake and smoking can be associated with the reduced risk of MS incidence which is in line with previous studies that had suggested that maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D could have a protective effect by lowering the risk of developing autoimmune diseases including MS [35][36][37]. When a person has MS, his or her immune system attacks the coating that protects nerve cells.…”

“…This result is in line with previous studies that showed maintaining adequate levels of vitamin D (as one of the environmental factors) have a protective effect. They result in lower risk of developing autoimmune diseases including MS [35][36][37]. The results of this study also showed that larger counties, located in the center of Fars province, especially Shiraz and Abadeh in northeast, had high MS incidence rates.…”