Association of Vitamin D Deficiency with Psoriasis and Metabolic Syndrome: A Case-Control Study in Indian Patients.

Background: Substantial evidence suggests a higher risk of metabolic syndrome as a result of persistent inflammation in patients with psoriasis. Psoriasis may also be associated with vitamin D deficiency. Aim: To correlate vitamin D deficiency with psoriasis and metabolic syndrome. Materials and Methods: Serum vitamin D levels were quantified, and metabolic syndrome was assessed in 42 cases whose psoriasis severity had been measured by PASI and in an equal number of age/gender-matched controls. The resultant data were analyzed statistically. The odds ratio was calculated wherever applicable and a two-tailed Results: Vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/ml) occurred in 43 subjects [(51.19%); 26 (62%), patients and 17 (40.4%), controls] and was statistically significant in patients (OR: 2.39, Conclusions: Despite limitations of small sample size and observational nature, our study-probably the first such hereto from India-showed statistically significant associations between vitamin D deficiency, metabolic syndrome, and hypertension in patients with psoriasis. Future larger studies are needed for strengthening this evidence prior to the recommendation of its clinical application in the optimum management of patients.