%0 Journal Article
%T Vitamin D Status Is Associated with Disease Activity among Rheumatology Outpatients
%A Zohreh Sabbagh
%A Janet Markland
%A Hassanali Vatanparast
%J Nutrients
%D 2013
%I MDPI AG
%R 10.3390/nu5072268
%X The co-existence of high prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy among Canadians and high prevalence of systematic autoimmune rheumatic diseases (SARDs) raise the question on relationship between the two situations. Objective: To determine vitamin D status in known cases of common SARDs and compare to those with non-autoimmune diseases; further, to evaluate the impact of vitamin D on disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) cases. Methods: In a retrospective case-control study design, we evaluated 116 patients in a community clinic classified in two groups, Control group: patients with non-rheumatic disease ( n = 56), and Case group: those with rheumatic diseases ( n = 60). We compared plasma vitamin D status (25(OH)D), indicators of disease activity and other potential confounders. Further, we determined factors associated with disease activity in£¿RA cases. Results: The plasma 25(OH)D was significantly lower in Case group£¿(64.8£¿¡À£¿29.8) compared to Control group (86.8 ¡À 37.7). High number of SARDs outpatients 56%) had considerably low plasma 25(OH)D concentration. RA cases with low plasma 25(OH)D had over five times higher risk of disease activity (OR = 5.15 95% CI£¿1.16, 22.9; p = 0.031). Conclusion: Inadequate vitamin D status in SARDs cases, along with considerably strong association with disease activity in RA cases, indicate the need for proper evaluation of vitamin D status in this clinical population. Moreover, appropriate training should be given to the patients to ensure the intake of the recommended amount of vitamin D per day through diet or supplement.
%K rheumatic disease
%K rheumatoid arthritis
%K vitamin D
%K inflammation
%K disease activity
%U http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/5/7/2268