Background: Rhinoscleroma represents a challenging health problem especially in Egypt, in which it is an endemic condition. Vitamin D3 deficiency may play a role in the pathogenesis of the disease.
Aim of the work: To compare vitamin D3 level in subjects with rhinoscleroma versus control.
Patients and methods: The study was conducted at Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) departments, AL-Azhar University Hospitals, (Al-Hussein, Bab Alsheria, and Damietta, Egypt) The participants were divided into two groups: Group A comprised 20 patients with confirmed diagnosis of rhinoscleroma through punch biopsies with the assistance of nasal endoscopy and Group B which comprised 20 participants of healthy volunteers. All participants were subjected to thorough history taking and clinical examination. 40 participants were incorporated in the study. Then, serum vitamin D3 levels were determined for all participants.
Results: 85 % of group A were vitamin D3 deficient (vitamin D3 < 20.0ng/dl), 15% were insufficient (vitamin D3 20-29ng/dl) and none was sufficient (vitamin D3 ≥30ng/dl), while in control group vitamin D3 was deficient in 1 subject (5.0%), insufficient in 35% and sufficient in 60.0%. There was no significant relation between site or side of rhinoscleroma and vitamin D3 level.
Conclusion: Vitamin D3 levels were significantly reduced in patients with rhinoscleroma (group A) as opposed to group B and this reduction may have a role in pathogenesis of rhinoscleroma and vitamin D3 supplementations may affect the course of the disease