Vitamin D Levels Are Associated with Expression of SLE, but Not Flare Frequency

Abstract

This study explores links between vitamin D deficiency (25(OH)D = 50 nmol/L) and serological autoimmunity (ANA > 1 : 80) and frequency of self-reported flares (SRF) in participants with clinical autoimmunity (SLE). 25(OH)D levels of 121 females were quantified and compared. The cohort consisted of 80 ACR defined SLE patients and 41 age and sex matched controls. Association analysis of log2 (25(OH)D) levels and ANA 80 positivity was undertaken via two-sample t-tests and regression models. Significant differences were found for 25(OH)D levels (mean: control 74 nmol/L (29.5 ng/ml); SLE 58 nmol/L (23.1 ng/ml), P = 0.04), 25(OH)D deficiency (P = 0.02). Regression models indicate that, for a twofold rise in 25(OH)D level, the odds ratio (OR) for ANA-positivity drops to 36% of the baseline OR. No link was found between SRF-days and 25(OH)D levels. Our results support links between vitamin D deficiency and expression of serological autoimmunity and clinical autoimmunity (SLE). However, no demonstrable association between 25(OH)D and SRF was confirmed, suggesting independent influences of other flare-inducing factors. Results indicate that SLE patients have high risk of 25(OH)D deficiency and therefore supplementation with regular monitoring should be considered as part of patient management.

Serum 25-OH vitamin D level in treatment-naïve systemic lupus erythematosus patients: Relation to disease activity, IL-23 and IL-17

“…The current work reinforces the existing relationship between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmunity; 36,37 not only through the significantly higher ANA among patients with 25 OH D < 30 ng/ml, but also through the significant negative correlation between ANA and serum vitamin D levels in the studied SLE patients. This is in line with the previous assumption of Chen et al., 10 that autoantibody production may exist for many years before SLE diagnosis.…”

Association between Vitamin D Deficiency and Antinuclear Antibodies in Middle-Aged and Older U.S. Adults

“…As the first analysis conducted in a large, U.S. representative sample, this adds to a suggestive literature on vitamin D deficiency and ANA based on clinical studies of lupus patients and one small sample of clinical controls (7, 15). The observed association between vitamin D deficiency and ANA was unlikely due to including individuals who receive less vitamin D due to physical impairments or illness, as the association persisted in analyses restricted to those able to perform moderate or vigorous physical activity and free of RA or thyroid problems.…”

“…ANA positivity has been associated with vitamin D deficiency in autoimmune disease patients (15-17), but little is known about vitamin D and ANA in healthy populations. One recent study examined this relationship in a small sample of clinical controls (7), but no population-based studies have been conducted.…”

Eppur Si Muove: vitamin D is essential in preventing and modulating SLE

“…In a cohort study that included 121 female patients, the investigators demonstrated that the more 25(OH)D plasma levels of patients increased, the chances for a positive ANA titer (defined as 1:80 and above) decreased. 20 Anti-dsDNA antibodies are considered extremely specific to the disease. They were found to be associated with complement levels in patients, as well as with clinical disease manifestations.…”