Association between Rheumatoid Arthritis and Serum Vitamin D Concentrations: A case-control study

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is an autoimmune disease characterized by periods of remission and flares of symmetrical joint inflammation slowly progressing to joint and cartilage destruction leading to deformities. Evidence is accumulating suggesting vitamin D deficiency and its correlation in autoimmune diseases including RA. Aim of this study is to determine the association between rheumatoid arthritis and serum vitamin D levels. Methods: This case-control study was conducted at Department of Medicine with collaboration of Orthopaedics department at ICARE Institute of Medical Sciences and Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy Hospital, Haldia, West Begal from May 2023 to October 2023. There were 40 patients were presented in this study. After obtaining informed written permission, we took detailed demographic information on all patients who had signed up for treatment. Clinical signs and symptoms, X-ray findings, and anti-citrullinated protein levels more than 20 u/mL were all used to diagnose RA in this patient’s instance. They all pointed to the disease. Group I featured 20 people with verified rheumatoid arthritis, whereas group II had 20 individuals who did not have rheumatoid arthritis. The levels of vitamin D in both groups’ blood were compared. Data was analysed using SPSS 24.0. Results: There were 12 (60.0%) males and 8 (40.0%) females in group I and in group II 11 (55.0%) males and 9 (45.%) females. Mean age in group I was 44.7±8.35 years and had mean BMI 27.8±9.45 kg/m2 while in group II mean age was 46.5±6.51 years with mean BMI 28.6±6.51 kg/m2. Hypertension and diabetes were the most common comorbidities. Vitamin D level in group I was significantly lower 29.41±5.59 as compared to group II 40.41±8.81(ng/mL). Among 20 cases of rheumatoid arhthritis, positive patients for rheumatoid factor were 18 (90.0%) in which frequency of hypovitaminos was found among 16 (88.88%) cases. Conclusion: People with RA are far more likely to be vitamin D deficient, and the severity of the disease is directly correlated with this insufficiency. Since vitamin D deficiency affects women more than males, they should be tested with a high degree of suspicion. Taking vitamin D supplements may be necessary to prevent or reverse the progression of the disease.