Is Vitamin D Deficiency Associated With Bronchial Asthma

Abstract

PURPOSE: To determine a) the association between vitamin D and asthma b) difference in level of vitamin D in asthmatic and con- trol, and c) effect of vitamin D on atopy markers. METHODS: A total of 250 cases and 250 controls matched by age, gender and ethnicity. Socio- demographic & clinical data was collected through physician diagnosis and questionnaire. Their health status was assessed by past or present clinical manifestations, family history, physical examination, BMI, and serum 25(OH) vitamin D, calcium, and phosphorus. RESULTS: 42.8% of asthmatic and 48% of controls were males, and 57.2% of asthmatic and 52% of controls were females. The mean age (± SD, in years) for asthmatic versus controls was 37.0±3.2 vs. 38.4±5.6. Vitamin D deficiency was more prevalent in asthmatics than controls. The mean value of Vitamin D in asthmatics was much lower than the normal value, and there was a significant difference found in the mean values of vitamin D between asthmatics (16.5±11.0) and the controls (20.8±10.0). Furthermore, there were statistically significant differences between asthmatic subjects and controls with respect to serum level of vitamin D (p<0.001). Lower Vitamin D levels were associated with more allergic disease and elevated serum IgE. CONCLUSIONS: Serum vitamin D levels were lower in asthmatic than control. Vitamin D deficiency was higher among children with asthma, al- lergic rhinitis, atopic dermatitis, acute urticaria, and food allergy. In addition, vitamin D deficiency was associated with IgE atopy markers in asthmatic children more than controls.