Vitamin D supplementation and severity of atopic dermatitis: pre-post assessment

Allergol Immunopathol (Madr). 2021 Mar 1;49(2):66-71. doi: 10.15586/aei.v49i2.67. eCollection 2021.

Abstract

Background/objectives: There is evidence that vitamin D (VD) supplementation may help in the management of atopic dermatitis (AD). The aim of this study was to assess the influence of VD supplementation on the severity of AD.

Methods: Pre-post interventional study with prospective data collection in patients younger than 14 years. The severity of AD was determined through SCORAD (SCORing Atopic Dermatitis) and classified as mild (SCORAD < 25), moderate (≥25 and <50), and severe (≥50). Skin prick test was performed in all patients. Serum VD levels were classified as sufficient (≥30 ng/mL), insufficient (29 to 21 ng/mL), and deficient (≤20 ng/mL); and those with inadequate levels received oral supplementation of VD for 3 months, and were reassessed after treatment.

Results: A total of 152 patients were included. Patients with sufficient vitamin levels had lower SCORAD values (p = 0.04). Further, 116 patients (76.3%) received VD supplementation and after 3 months, VD levels were significantly higher (35.9 ng/mL) compared to baseline levels (23.7 ng/mL, p < 0.001). At the same time, a reduction in the SCORAD index was observed (19.4 before vs 12.3 after supplementation, p < 0.001). Considering other factors that could influence the decrease in AD severity after VD supplementation, female gender was associated with a worse treatment response (p = 0.02).

Conclusion: Vitamin D supplementation could be an adjuvant in reducing the severity of atopic dermatitis.

Keywords: atopic dermatitis; skin prick test; vitamin D supplementation.

Publication types

  • Observational Study

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Age Factors
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / blood
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / diagnosis
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / diet therapy*
  • Dermatitis, Atopic / immunology
  • Dietary Supplements*
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Prospective Studies
  • Severity of Illness Index
  • Skin Tests
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Vitamin D / administration & dosage*
  • Vitamin D / blood

Substances

  • Vitamin D