EVALUATION OF VITAMIN D LEVEL IN SERUM OF PATIENTS WITH VITILIGO.

Vitamin D deficiency promotes initiation and sustainment of numerous medical disorders, including cancer, diabetes mellitus, autoimmune disorders, and cardiovascular diseases. The expression of vitamin D receptors by melanocytes suggests a role for it in controlling their physiology. Therefore, the aim of this study was to compare serum vitamin D levels in patients with vitiligo and normal healthy individuals. A cross-sectional study conducted in the Dermatology out-patient clinic at AL-Diwaniyah Teaching Hospital, Iraq, from January 2024 to October 2024. The study involved 50 vitiligo patients (24 males and 26 females) and 50 apparently healthy subjects as controls. The diagnosis of patients was based on clinical presentation and the results of Wood's light examination made by dermatologist. The serum levels of vitamin D were measured and categorized into normal, insufficient and deficient. Statistical analysis was performed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (Version 26) and comparisons were done using Chi-squared and unpaired t-tests. Data is considered significant at P≤0.05. The mean serum concentrations of vitamin D of patients and their controls were15.08±8.29 ng/ml and 20.17±9.05 ng/ml, respectively, (P<0.05). Furthermore, the proportions of individuals with insufficient and deficient vitamin D levels were significantly higher in vitiligo patients than in healthy controls (P<0.05). Vitamin D concentrations are insufficient in Iraqi people, in general, and in vitiligo patients, in specific. However, the exact mechanism(s) of this association needs to be established for the introduction of this vitamin in the treatment of vitiligo.