Assessment of Serum Vitamin D in Patients with Bronchial Asthma

Association of asthma with low serum vitamin D and its related musculoskeletal and psychological symptoms in adults: a case-control study

There are complex potential inter-relationships between the chronic inflammation of asthma and poor control, vitamin D deficiency, musculoskeletal pain and anxiety and depression. The aim was to investigate associations between vitamin D and these possible co-morbidities. This case-controlled study involved 75 adults with asthma and 75 controls. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) was measured, levels of anxiety, depression, musculoskeletal pain, and asthma control were assessed. Participants with asthma had lower 25(OH)D and higher anxiety scores and higher measures of musculoskeletal pain compared to controls. Binary logistic regression showed that asthma was associated with decreased 25(OH)D (Odds ratio (OR) = 0.86), general weakness (OR = 13.29), complaint of musculoskeletal pain (OR = 13.73), and increased intensity of musculoskeletal pain (OR = 0.61) and number of painful sites (OR = 2.58). Asthma was not associated with anxiety or depression. Further studies are required to investigate if vitamin D supplementation can improve asthma symptoms and musculoskeletal pain.

The relationship between serum levels of vitamin D with asthma and its symptom severity: A case-control study

BACKGROUND

Asthma is a heterogeneous disease characterised by chronic inflammatory airways, and is affected by several immunological factors. One of the most discussed and researched hypotheses is the relationship between vitamin D serum levels with asthma. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D serum levels with asthma and pulmonary functions in children in Kurdistan province, Iran.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In this case-control study, 120 children ranging from 6 to 18 years were referred in summer for investigation. Participants were divided into two groups: asthma group, N=60; and control group, N=60. After serum separation, samples were analysed using vitamin D ELISA kit. Additionally, pulmonary function test and serum IgE levels were measured in both groups. Data were analysed using Chi-square test and multiple regression analysis in SPSS15.

RESULTS

No difference was shown between the groups in terms of gender composition (male: 57.5; female: 42.5) (P>0.05). Average Vitamin D serum level in the case group (17.98±8.68) was less than in control group (22.35±6.26) (P<0.01). In addition, the difference of vitamin D deficiency in level of suboptimal between the asthma (17.77±6.41) and the control group (24.9±3.18) was statistically significant (P<0.0001). Positive correlation existed between vitamin D levels with FEV1, FVC, and FEV1/FVC. Multiple regression analysis showed a reverse relationship between vitamin D levels with IgE serum levels; this remained after adjustment for potential confounders (e.g. age, sex, BMI, FEV1, and FVC).

CONCLUSION

The results showed that serum levels of vitamin D in asthma patients were less than in healthy people, and also reduced lung function in these patients. So, the serum levels of vitamin D in asthma patients must be checked continuously.