Vitamin D status in Egyptian patients with psoriatic arthritis and its relationship with the disease activity and severity

Background: Many studies proved high percentage of vitamin D deficiency in PSA patients. Different records about possible link between vitamin D deficiency and state of inflammatory & disease activity in PSA patients Aim of the work: To evaluate vitamin D level in Egyptian patients with PSA and its association with disease activity and severityPatients & Method: 45 PSA Patients fulfilled Classification Criteria for diagnosis of PSA (CASPAR) and 50 healthy controls were included. Medical history, general and musculoskeletal examination were done. Disease activity was assessed using "DAPSA" score. VAS, HAQ, ESR & CRP were done. Serum level of 25(OH) vitamin D was measured for patients and controls. Results: Vitamin D in PSA patients ranged from 10-48 ng/mL, with mean ±SD 32.844±12.395. While in controls it ranged from15-50 ng/mL with mean ±SD33.940±8.998, without statistical significant difference. Vitamin D deficiency was detected in 12 patients (26.6%) and 5 (10%) healthy participants with statistically significant higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency in patients than controls (P-value <0.034). patients with vitamin D deficiency showed statistically significant longer disease duration, higher VAS, HAQ score, ESR, CRP titer and DAPSA score (P-value <0.001). They had statistically significant higher frequency of axial affection (P-value <0.001). Vitamin D level was statistically negatively correlated with disease duration, VAS, HAQ, ESR, CRP and DAPSA score (P-value <0.001). Conclusions: We concluded that PSA patients had higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency than healthy individuals. patients with vitamin D deficiency had more active and severe disease compared to those without deficiency.