EVALUATION OF SERUM VITAMIN D LEVELS AND GLYCEMIC CONTROL IN PATIENTS WITH PSORIASIS: A CROSS-SECTIONAL STUDY OF SYSTEMIC INFLAMMATION AND CARDIOVASCULAR RISK
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Keywords
Psoriasis, Vitamin D, HbA1c, hs-CRP, Cardiovascular Risk, Systemic Inflammation.
Abstract
Background: Psoriasis is increasingly recognized as a systemic inflammatory condition rather than a localized skin disorder, often clustering with metabolic syndrome and cardiovascular disease. Both Vitamin D deficiency and poor glycemic control are implicated in the pathogenesis of chronic inflammation. This study evaluates the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels, Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c), and cardiovascular risk markers in patients with psoriasis.
Methods: A multi-center, cross-sectional study was conducted across three tertiary care hospitals in 2019, involving 180 patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. Psoriasis severity was assessed using the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI). Biochemical analysis included serum 25(OH)D levels, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1c. Cardiovascular risk was estimated using the High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein (hs-CRP) and the Visceral Adiposity Index (VAI).
Results: The mean serum Vitamin D level in the cohort was 18.4 ± 6.2 ng/mL, with 72% of patients categorized as deficient ($<20$ ng/mL). A significant inverse correlation was observed between serum Vitamin D and PASI scores ($r = -0.54, p < 0.001$). Furthermore, patients with Vitamin D deficiency exhibited significantly higher HbA1c levels (7.4% ± 1.1% vs. 6.2% ± 0.8%, $p < 0.01$) and elevated hs-CRP levels ($3.8 \pm 1.2$ mg/L). Multiple regression analysis identified serum Vitamin D as an independent predictor of glycemic instability and systemic inflammation in psoriatic patients, even after adjusting for age and BMI.
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in psoriatic patients and is closely linked to poor glycemic control and heightened systemic inflammation. These findings suggest that Vitamin D may act as a metabolic bridge in psoriasis, and its supplementation could potentially mitigate the associated cardiovascular risk. A multidisciplinary approach involving dermatology, internal medicine, and anesthesiology (for pain and inflammatory modulation) is essential for comprehensive management.
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Dr. Charupalli Keerthi
Assistant Professor, Department Of Dermatology, Meenakshi Medical College Hospital And Research Institute
Dr. Naineni Prakash Mahesh Kumar
associate Professor, Department Of General Medicine, Iq-City Medical College, Durgapur
Dr. Yamini Sivani Kanneganti
assistant Professor, Department Of Anesthesiology, Mamta Medical College, Khammam
