ABSTRACT

Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease. The underlying mechanism is still not known but both innate and adaptive immune cells together with cytokines participate in RA pathogenesis. Vitamin D is a fat-soluble vitamin that is known to have an immunomodulatory effect. So, in this study, we discussed the relation of serum Vitamin D level in RA patients and its relation to RA disease activity.

Material and Methods: The present study was a prospective cohort study. It included 30 RA cases who attend Rheumatology, Rehabilitation and Physical Medicine Department, Assiut University Hospitals, Assiut, Egypt. The disease activity score (DAS) 28-ESR index and Clinical disease activity index (CDAI) were used to evaluate the disease activity and Serum vitamin D level was evaluated.

Results: The mean age of the studied RA cases was 45.77 ± 8.50 years (range; 25 to 60 years), all are females. The median Vitamin D level was 17.78nmol/L. According to DAS28 scale; 26.7% cases have mild disease activity, and 73.3% have moderate to high disease activity, and according to CDAI scale; 46.7% have mild disease activity, and 53.3% have moderate to high disease activity, with no significant difference in serum vitamin D level and different DAS 28 and CDAI categories (P=0.682, and 0.186) respectively.

Discussion: Based on the current finding we could conclude that; serum Vitamin D level has no association with RA disease activity. However, further larger studies are needed to evaluate the potential role of Vitamin D in RA etiopathogenesis and disease activity.