Evaluation of serum vitamin D concentration and blood eosinophil and basophil counts in patients with vitiligo: cross-sectional study from Rafsanjan and Zarand, Iran

Abstract

Objective: Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune depigmenting skin disorder. In this disease, the destruction of functional melanocytes can lead to reduced or absent pigmentation of the skin. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported in some autoimmune diseases. The association of eosinophils and basophils with autoimmune diseases has also been recently examined. The present study was performed to evaluate the serum vitamin D concentration and blood eosinophil and basophil counts in patients with vitiligo. Methods: Data from 30 patients aged 20 to 40 years with vitiligo and 30 healthy people were collected. Blood samples were obtained to evaluate the serum vitamin D concentration, and eosinophil and basophil counts. The serum vitamin D concentration was measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Independent t-test was used to compare the quantitative variables between the groups. Results: This descriptive cross-sectional study involved 30 patients with vitiligo. The average serum vitamin D concentration was significantly lower in the case group than in the control group (P = 0.01). Furthermore, the mean serum vitamin D concentration was significantly lower in women than in men (P = 0.03). The average eosinophil and basophil counts were not significantly different between the case and control groups. Discussion: The results of this study showed that the serum vitamin D concentration is low in patients with vitiligo. However, whether this reduction is a factor in the promotion of vitiligo or occurs after the onset of vitiligo remains unknown. Further studies on the serum vitamin D concentration in patients with vitiligo are needed to clarity this issue and develop effective treatments.