Vitamin D Levels are Associated with Disease Activity and Damage Accrual in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients

Vitamin D has immunosuppressive properties and is considered a therapeutic option, although there is controversy about the role of this vitamin in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). We aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency and their potential association with disease activity, damage accrual, SLE-related clinical manifestations, and cardiovascular risk factors in SLE patients. A cross-sectional study of 264 patients was conducted (89.4% females; mean age 46.7 ± 12.9 years). The SLE Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI-2 K) and the SDI Damage Index were used to assess disease activity and disease-related damage, respectively. The mean 25(OH)D value was 25.1 ± 13.0 ng/ml. Eleven patients (4.2%) had 25(OH)D <10 (deficiency) and 178 patients (70.6%) had 25(OH)D <30 (insufficiency). In the 25(OH)D deficiency group, SLEDAI was significantly higher than the insufficiency ( p = 0.001) and normal groups ( p < 0.001). Also, patients with vitamin D deficiency presented significantly higher SDI scores than patients with 25(OH)D insufficiency ( p = 0.033) and 25(OH)D normal levels ( p = 0.029). There is a high prevalence of both vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency in Caucasian SLE patients and this status was associated with higher SLEDAI and SDI scores, supporting the impact of vitamin D levels on disease activity and damage accrual in SLE patients. Longitudinal studies on the relationship between vitamin D status and disease activity and progression are therefore required.

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Vitamin D Status in Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus in Serbia: Correlation with Disease Activity and Clinical Manifestations

Open Access Macedonian Journal of Medical Sciences ◽

10.3889/oamjms.2015.052 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 3 (2) ◽

pp. 256-261 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Rada Miskovic ◽

Aleksandra Plavsic ◽

Sanvila Raskovic ◽

Zikica Jovicic ◽

Jasna Bolpacic

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Skin Lesions ◽

Vitamin D Status ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

The Impact

BACKGROUND: Numerous studies indicate potential role of vitamin D as an important factor in the development of many autoimmune diseases including systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients with SLE are especially prone to the development of vitamin D deficiency due to the nature of their illness.AIM: The aims of our study were to determine the prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency in patients with SLE in Serbia, to identify clinical variables associated with vitamin D status and to examine the impact of vitamin D status on disease activity and presence of specific lupus autoantibodies.MATERIAL AND METHODS: The study included 46 patients with SLE. Serum 25(OH)D concentration was measured by electrohemiluminiscent immunoassay.RESULTS: The mean serum concentration of 25(OH)D was 11.9 ± 7.3 ng/ml. The prevalence of insufficiency was 32.6%, while the prevalence of deficiency was 67.4%. There was no association between vitamin D status and photosensitivity, skin lesions, arthritis and lupus nephritis. Vitamin D status was not associated with the presence of specific autoantibodies. There was no correlation between disease activity assessed by SLEDAI scale with the concentration of 25(OH)D. Patients who used vitamin D supplements and calcium did not have a significantly higher concentration of 25(OH)D.CONCLUSION: In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with SLE.

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To Supplement or not to Supplement? The Rationale of Vitamin D Supplementation in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

The Open Rheumatology Journal ◽

10.2174/1874312901812010226 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 226-247 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Alessandra Nerviani ◽

Daniele Mauro ◽

Michele Gilio ◽

Rosa Daniela Grembiale ◽

Myles J. Lewis

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

Vitamin D Supplementation ◽

Current Evidence ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Vitamin D Receptors ◽

Vitamin D Levels

Background: Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE) is a systemic autoimmune disease characterised by abnormal activation of the immune system, chronic inflammation and organ damage. Lupus patients are more prone to be vitamin D deficient. However, current evidence is not conclusive with regards to the role played by vitamin D in SLE development, progression, and clinical manifestations. Objective: Here, we will summarise the current knowledge about vitamin D deficiency prevalence, risk factors, molecular effects, and potential pathogenic role in SLE. We will focus on the link between vitamin D deficiency and lupus clinical manifestations, and on the clinical trials assessing the effects of vitamin D supplementation in SLE. Method: A detailed literature search was performed exploiting the available databases, using “vitamin D and lupus/SLE” as keywords. The relevant interventional trials published over the last decade have been considered and the results are reported here. Conclusion: Several immune cells express vitamin D receptors. Thus, an immunomodulatory role for vitamin D in lupus is plausible. Numerous observational studies have investigated the relationship between vitamin D levels and clinical/serological manifestations of SLE with contrasting results. Negative correlations between vitamin D levels and disease activity, fatigue, renal and cardiovascular disease, and anti-dsDNA titres have been described but not conclusively accepted. In experimental models of lupus, vitamin D supplementation can improve the disease. Interventional trials have assessed the potential therapeutic value of vitamin D in SLE, but further larger studies are needed.

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Vitamin D Deficiency in Egyptian Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Patients: How Prevalent and Does it Impact Disease Activity?

Integrative Medicine Insights ◽

10.4137/imi.s40035 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 11 ◽

pp. IMI.S40035 ◽

Cited By ~ 11

Author(s):

Nouran M. Abaza ◽

Reem M. El-Mallah ◽

Asmaa Shaaban ◽

Sameh A. Mobasher ◽

Khaled F. Al-hassanein ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Vitamin D Deficiency ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Activity Index ◽

Damage Index ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Significant Difference

Background The emerging role of vitamin D in immunology and autoimmune disorders has been a worldwide interest in the last decade. Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) patients are particularly at a delicate position predisposing them to suffer from vitamin D deficiency due to the multiple risk factors accompanying the disease. Whether vitamin D deficiency is also involved as a risk factor for developing SLE and affecting its course is a considerable concern. Objectives The objective of this study was to estimate the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in SLE patients and its relation to disease. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In our observational cross-sectional study, serum levels of vitamin D [25(OH)D] in 60 SLE patients and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls were assessed and estimated for deficiency and insufficiency at 10 and 30 ng/mL, respectively. Disease activity was evaluated by SLE disease activity index (SLEDAI), irreversible organ damage by Systemic Lupus International Collaborating Clinics/American College of Rheumatology Damage Index (SLICC/ACR DI), and severity by Severity of Disease Index. Fatigue was measured by visual analog scale. Results Significantly lower levels of 25(OH)D were found in SLE patients (17.6 ± 6.9 ng/mL) in comparison to controls (79.0 ± 28.7 ng/mL), with a statistically high significant difference ( t = -11.2, P < 0.001). High prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency was detected as 73.3% and 23.3%, respectively. Vitamin D had a highly significant negative correlation with SLEDAI ( r = -0.495, P < 0.001), SLICC ( r = -0.431, P < 0.05), and fatigue ( r = -0.436, P < 0.05). Conclusion Vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency were found to be prevalent in SLE patients in our study and related to disease activity and fatigue. If needed, routine screening and consequent repletion of vitamin D are recommended in SLE patients. Restoring adequate vitamin D levels in SLE patients should be more explored as a potential yet simple measure to their usual management to improve their condition.

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The Impact of Vitamin D on the Immunopathophysiology, Disease Activity, and Extra-Musculoskeletal Manifestations of Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms19082355 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 19 (8) ◽

pp. 2355 ◽

Cited By ~ 14

Author(s):

Anselm Mak

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Vitamin D ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Stimulatory Action ◽

In Vivo Models ◽

Vitamin D Levels ◽

Autoimmune Conditions ◽

The Impact

Over the past two decades it has been increasingly recognized that vitamin D, aside from its crucial involvement in calcium and phosphate homeostasis and the dynamics of the musculoskeletal system, exerts its influential impact on the immune system. The mechanistic roles that vitamin D plays regarding immune activation for combating infection, as well as pathologically and mediating autoimmune conditions, have been progressively unraveled. In vitro and in vivo models have demonstrated that the action of vitamin D on various immunocytes is not unidirectional. Rather, how vitamin D affects immunocyte functions depends on the context of the immune response, in the way that its suppressive or stimulatory action offers physiologically appropriate and immunologically advantageous outcomes. In this review, the relationship between various aspects of vitamin D, starting from its adequacy in circulation to its immunological functions, as well as its autoimmune conditions, in particular systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), a prototype autoimmune condition characterized by immune-complex mediated inflammation, will be discussed. Concurring with other groups of investigators, our group found that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in patients with SLE. Furthermore, the circulating vitamin D levels appear to be correlated with a higher disease activity of SLE as well as extra-musculoskeletal complications of SLE such as fatigue, cardiovascular risk, and cognitive impairment.

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The Main Challenges in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus: Where Do We Stand?

Journal of Clinical Medicine ◽

10.3390/jcm10020243 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (2) ◽

pp. 243

Author(s):

Matteo Piga ◽

Laurent Arnaud

Keyword(s):

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Disease Activity ◽

Lupus Erythematosus ◽

Systemic Disease ◽

Unmet Need ◽

Clinical Manifestations ◽

New Drugs ◽

Systemic Lupus ◽

Major Step ◽

Damage Accrual

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an immune-mediated multi-systemic disease characterized by a wide variability of clinical manifestations and a course frequently subject to unpredictable flares. Despite significant advances in the understanding of the pathophysiology and optimization of medical care, patients with SLE still have significant mortality and carry a risk of progressive organ damage accrual and reduced health-related quality of life. New tools allow earlier classification of SLE, whereas tailored early intervention and treatment strategies targeted to clinical remission or low disease activity could offer the opportunity to reduce damage, thus improving long-term outcomes. Nevertheless, the early diagnosis of SLE is still an unmet need for many patients. Further disentangling the SLE susceptibility and complex pathogenesis will allow to identify more accurate biomarkers and implement new ways to measure disease activity. This could represent a major step forward to find new trials modalities for developing new drugs, optimizing the use of currently available therapeutics and minimizing glucocorticoids. Preventing and treating comorbidities in SLE, improving the management of hard-to-treat manifestations including management of SLE during pregnancy are among the remaining major unmet needs. This review provides insights and a research agenda for the main challenges in SLE.

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