Background:Systemic Lupus erythematous is systemic inflammatory disorder associated with immunological abnormalities that could affect many organs. Vitamin D has inhibitory properties on activity and multiplications of immune system cells associated with inflammation.
Objective:To evaluate vitamin D level in systemic lupus erythematosus cases, and its relation to activity of the disease.
Material and Methods:The study was done on 100 individuals in clinical pathology and rheumatology, rehabilitation and physical medicine departments at Al-Azhar University Hospitals. Subjects classified into 2 groups. Group I included 70 systemic lupus erythematosus patients either in active or inactive state. Group II comprised 30 matched healthy subjects as regard age and sex. All participants were subjected to complete rheumatological examination and recommended laboratory investigations.
Results:Vitamin D was significant low in systemic lupus erythematosus patients versus healthy control. Serum vitamin D was statistically lower in patients with active disease versus inactive disease. Significant correlation was found between vitamin D and activity index of the disease and laboratory markers of disease activity.
Conclusions:Vitamin D inadequacy is a finding among systemic lupus erythematosus patients in active disease state. Vitamin D level could be a biomarker of disease activity.