Assessment of Vitamin D Level in Patients of Alopecia Areata

Alopecia Areata (AA) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disease that causes inflammation around anagen-stage hair follicles. Insufficient levels of vitamin D have been implicated in a variety of autoimmune diseases. Previous reports have described the effects of vitamin D on hair follicles. To evaluate the status of vitamin D in patients with AA, and the relationship between vitamin D levels and disease severity, a cross-sectional study of 23 patients with AA and 23 healthy controls was conducted. Serum vitamin D levels of the study group were determined by ELISA technique. Results revealed a significant difference between cases and control as regards 25(OH) vitamin D level and its status. There is also a significant difference between 25(OH) vitamin D status and the degree of AA but not with the pattern of AA. However, there is a non-significant difference in the 25(OH) vitamin D status in all participants regarding age and sex of subjects. Accordingly, screening patients with AA for vitamin D deficiencies seems to be of value for the possibility of supplementing these patients with vitamin D.