Original Article
A comparative study of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in patients with alopecia areata and healthy control
Author Details
1. Medical Officer, Modernized District Hospital, Joypurhat
2. Associate Professor, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka
3. Assistant Surgeon Shaheed Syed Nazrul Islam Medical College Hospital, Kishoreganj
4. Medical officer 250 beded chattogram general hospital, Chattogram
5. Medical officer, Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University, Dhaka
Abstract Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a type of non-scarring patchy loss of hair in hair-bearing areas and is mostly of autoimmune origin. Vitamin D and its receptor are responsible for a normal hair cycle. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D deficiency is rather frequent among alopecia areata patients. Objective: To assess serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D level in patients with alopecia areata and to correlate it with the severity of alopecia areata. Methods: This case-control study included 30 clinically diagnosed cases of alopecia areata and 30 healthy individuals in the department of Dermatology & Venereology, BSMMU, Dhaka. This study was conducted from July 2018 to June 2020. Written informed consent was taken from each patient and interviewed by semi-structured questionnaire. Disease severity was measured by Severity of Alopecia Tool (SALT) score. Five milliliter of venous blood was collected from each patient and control; the sample was preserved and analyzed for 25(OH) D level by automated chemiluminescence immunoassay method in the Department of National Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Allied Sciences, BSMMU. Statistical analysis was carried out by using SPSS software version 23.0. For all statistical tests, a p-value of less than 0.05 was considered significant. Result: The mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels of cases was 11.30±4 ng/ml, in control group the mean was 19.62±5.09ng/ml, the difference was statistically significant (<0.001). A significant moderate negative correlation was found between SALT score and vitamin D level (P < 0.024; r = −0.411) but a non-significant weak negative correlation was found between the duration of the disease and vitamin D level (P < 0.071; r = − 0.342) Conclusion: The serum vitamin D level was low in patients of alopecia areata and normal healthy controls but it is lower in AA patients. There was a significant negative correlation between the levels of serum Vitamin D and the severity of alopecia areata. Key Words: Alopecia areata, Vitamin D, BSMMU |
Keywords: Alopecia Areata, Vitamin D, Bsmmu