Serum vitamin D levels in patients with atopic asthma

Background: It must be obvious that no one factor should be held accountable for the etiology of allergic diseases, asthma or acute asthma exacerbations. Operating on a genetic basis many factors must play a role. It has been postulated that vitamin D deficiency, as a result of industrialization and Westernized lifestyles that have led to sun-avoidance behaviors and more time indoors, has a role in the development of asthma and allergies (Green, 2010) [1].Objective: To assess the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and severity of asthma in patients with atopic asthma.Patients and methods: The study was carried out on 30 patients with atopic asthma, divided into three groups according to severity of airway obstruction, and ten healthy control subjects. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 [25(OH) D], a vitamin D metabolite, was measured using an immunodiagnostic ELISA technique.Results: 86% of all asthmatic patients were vitamin D insufficient, as defined by a level ⩽30 ng/ml 25(OH) Vit D. Mean vitamin D levels were the lowest in patients with severe asthma.Conclusion: Vitamin D insufficiency is common in patients with atopic asthma that is correlated with its degree of severity