The Relationship Between Vitamin D Levels and the Quality of Life in Patients with Alopecia Areata and Vitiligo

Nazlı Dizen Namdar; İnci Arıkan

doi:10.4274/tod.galenos.2019.19327

ABSTRACT

Objective:

In this study, it was aimed to investigate the relationship between vitamin D and the quality of life in patients with alopecia areata (AA) and vitiligo.

Materials and Methods:

The study group includes 60 patients with AA, 44 patients with vitiligo and 61 patients with control group. Sociodemographic and clinical features of study group and vitamin D levels of all participants were recorded. According to the records, it was evaluated as vitamin D deficiency for 25(OH)D level under 20 ng/mL, vitamin D insufficiency for 20-29 ng/mL and normal level for equal to and over 30 ng/mL. Patients were requested to fill out the dermatology life quality index (DLQI) questionnaire.

Results:

In our study, the vitamin D level of the patient group was found lower than the control group (p<0.000). Vitamin D levels and DLQI scores were negatively correlated in patients with AA and it was significant (p=0.012). In patients with vitiligo, no significant relationship was found between the DLQI scores and vitamin D levels (p=0.066).

Conclusion:

Vitamin D deficiency is quite common in patients with AA and vitiligo. The quality of life was impaired in both diseases. Especially in patients with AA, quality of life impairs as vitamin D levels decrease. In patients with AA which detected deficient or insufficient vitamin D, we believe that vitamin D supplementation can improve the quality of life, and thus contribute to the treatment of these patients.

Keywords:

Vitamin D, quality of life, alopecia areata, vitiligo

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