Bronchial asthma and hypovitaminosis D in Saudi children

Abstract

BackgroundAsthma, a common lung disease in children, is caused by excessive immune responses to environmental antigens.ObjectiveGiven the immuno-modulatory properties of vitamin D, the aim of the current study was to investigate the relationship between vitamin D levels and markers of asthma severity.MethodsThis was investigated in a 70 Saudi children with and without asthma and were recruited from the King Abdul Aziz University Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, over the period of 11 months (May 2011-April 2012). Childhood asthma control test instrument was employed to assess the level of asthma control among asthmatic patients. Anthropometric measurements were taken and interviewer-administrated questionnaire was completed for all study participants. Pulmonary function test was performed by recording changes in the peak expiratory flow. Venous blood samples were withdrawn for measurements of vitamin D, bone profile, cytokines profile (interleukin-10, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, platelets derived growth factor), and atopy markers (IgE and eosinophil count).ResultsHypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent among asthmatic children with highly significant increase in several markers of allergy and asthma severity as compared with healthy control children. Significant correlations between several inflammatory and immunological markers and vitamin D levels were also found. Finally, lower 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were associated with a higher asthma prevalence in multivariable analysis.ConclusionOur study showed that hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent in the whole population in addition to a highly significant increase in several markers of allergy and asthma severity among asthmatic children as compared with healthy control children.

The role of vitamin D in allergic rhinitis

“…The result was consistent with another study that consisted of 70 Saudi children aged 4–18 years, which showed that hypovitaminosis D is highly prevalent among asthmatic children and is positively related to asthma severity as compared with healthy control children [29]. In another large adult population-based cohort study conducted in Israel, although no significant association between 25(OH)D status and physician-diagnosed asthma was found, there was a strong association with asthma exacerbations [30].…”

Vitamin D status in asthmatic children and its correlation to asthma control

“…These findings are in accordance with that of other studies done by Chinellato, et al (p = 0.011), Gupta, et al (p <0.001), Huria MA et al (p=<0.0001). 17,20,23 This indicates that higher levels of vitamin D correspond to better perception of disease control by the patients and their parents.…”

Clinical Evaluation of Potential Anti-Inflammatory Effect of Vitamin D3 Adjuvant Therapy for Chronic Asthma in Iraqi Patients

“…A significant increase of mean interleukin-10 (IL-10) level in group 2 patients was found after three months, meanwhile, group 1 showed no significant increase of this anti-inflammatory cytokine suggesting a potential role of vitamin D on its activation. Aldubi et al(2015) found that Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels were positively correlated to the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10 and linked between reduced IL-10 levels and lung function in children with severe asthma, partly be explained by hypovitaminosis [35]. Another finding showed a positive correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D level and Broncho alveolar lavage level of the anti-inflammatory cytokine interleukin (IL)-10 in severe resistant asthma in children [36].…”