THE CLINICAL EFFECT OF ORAL VITAMIN D₃ SUPPLEMENTATION ON PSORIASIS PATIENTS ATTENDING OUTPATIENT TERTIARY CARE CENTRE
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Keywords
Psoriasis, Vitamin D₃, Oral supplementation, PASI score, 25-hydroxyvitamin D, Chronic plaque psoriasis
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is a chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease characterized by hyperproliferation of keratinocytes and dysregulated immune responses. Emerging evidence suggests a link between vitamin D deficiency and increased disease severity in psoriasis due to its role in epidermal homeostasis and immune modulation. However, the therapeutic efficacy of oral vitamin D₃ supplementation in Indian patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis remains underexplored. The present study aimed to evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of oral vitamin D₃ supplementation in patients with chronic plaque psoriasis and low baseline serum vitamin D levels.
Methods: This prospective interventional study included 100 adult patients with chronic plaque-type psoriasis and documented serum 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/mL. Participants received oral vitamin D₃ (60,000 IU weekly) for 6 months, without systemic antipsoriatic therapy. Clinical severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI), while serum vitamin D levels were monitored at baseline, 3 months, and 6 months. Statistical analyses included paired t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and independent samples t-tests.
Results: Mean serum vitamin D levels increased from 17.42 ng/mL to 40.85 ng/mL over 6 months (p<0.001), while mean PASI scores declined from 8.84 to 3.69 (p<0.001), demonstrating significant clinical improvement. A moderate, statistically significant inverse correlation (r = –0.527, p<0.01) was found between vitamin D levels and PASI scores. Improvement was comparable across age groups, skin types (Fitzpatrick III vs IV, p=0.691), and baseline PASI severity (p=0.091). Patients with severe baseline disease showed the greatest mean improvement (65.8%). No serious adverse events were reported, with mild side effects (nausea, constipation) noted in 28% of patients.
Conclusion: Oral vitamin D₃ supplementation is a safe, effective, and well-tolerated adjunctive treatment for chronic plaque psoriasis, demonstrating consistent clinical benefit irrespective of age, skin type, or baseline disease severity. These findings support routine screening for vitamin D deficiency in psoriasis and its correction as part of comprehensive management. Further large-scale, randomized studies are recommended to validate these results and explore combinatory therapeutic approaches.
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Dr Surendra Singh Bhati
Professor Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Indore (M.P)
Dr Ujjwal Jharia
Junior Resident Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Indore (M.P)
Dr Shelly Yadav
Junior Resident Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Indore (M.P)
Dr Ayush Yadav
Junior Resident Department of Dermatology Venereology and Leprosy Index Medical College Hospital and Research Centre Indore (M.P)