Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 level in Egyptian patients with alopecia areata

Background Vitamin D has multiple effects on innate and adaptive immune responses. The relation between vitamin D levels and alopecia areata (AA), a tissue-specific autoimmune disease, represents an attractive area of research. Objective The objective of the study was to estimate the serum level of 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25-OH Vit D) in AA patients and explore a probable relation. Patients and methods A total of 140 individuals from the Egyptian population were recruited into a case– control study, of whom 70 were patients with AA of various types and 70 were healthy controls. Serum 25-OH Vit D levels were measured. Correlations with disease duration and severity, positive family history, age and sex were made. Results AA patients comprised 37 male and 33 female patients (13–50 years). The healthy controls comprised 44 male and 26 female individuals (12–50 years). Serum 25-OH Vit D levels were significantly decreased in AA patients than in controls (P=0.023). The female participants in both groups (patients and controls) showed significantly lower vitamin D levels compared with male participants (P=0.005). There was no significant relationship between serum 25-OH Vit D levels and age, duration, severity or positive family history. Conclusion AA is associated with low levels of 25-OH Vit D, especially in female participants. More studies are required to prove its possible role in AA pathogenesis.