Comparison of Serum Vitamin D Levels in Individuals with and without Dupuytren’s Disease : A Case Control Study

Abstract: Background: It is a benign fibroproliferative illness of the hand known as Dupuytren's disease (DD). The precise etiology of the illness is yet unknown. Many studies have been conducted on vitD (Vitamin D) anti-fibrotic effects in chronic non-malignant disorders. However, little study has been done on measuring vitD (vitD) levels in both healthy people and DD patients. Objective: To compare serum vitD in individuals with and without DD presenting to a tertiary care hospital in Karachi, Pakistan. Materials and Methods: This case-control study was performed in Department of Plastic surgery, Civil Hospital, Karachi, Pakistan during November 2023 to August 2024. Patients were enrolled from outpatients’ clinics whereas healthy controls were enrolled from Plastic & Reconstructive Department of Civil Hospital. Serum 25(OH)D (25-hydroxyvitD) levels were assessed as part of a standard laboratory evaluation for controls and all DD patients. The analysis of the data was done with SPSS 27. Result: A total of 60 subjects were enlisted with 1:1 ratio of cases and controls. All of the patients were males. Age and body mass index were not significantly different among cases and control. Median vitD level among cases and controls was 18.4 (IQR=17.6-24.1) ng/mL and 26.1 (IQR=18.9-28.4) ng/mL respectively. The vitD levels of the patients and controls differed considerably (p<0.001). Conclusion: The current investigation showed a considerably lesser level of vitD in cases compared to controls, indicating a connection between vitD and DD. Keywords: Dupuytren’s disease, Fibroproliferative disorder, VitD deficiency, Myofibroblasts.