Serum vitamin D and immunoglobulin E levels in children of allergic rhinitis: a case-control study from Central India

Abstract

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is the commonest type of non-infective rhinitis. Genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the development of the disease. Researchers are having interest in knowing the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of allergy. Immunoglobulin E (IgE) is integral to the pathogenesis of allergic disorders. However, the relationship between serum IgE levels and AR is still a matter of debate. Thus, this study aimed to know serum IgE and serum 25 (OH) vitamin D levels in patients with clinically diagnosed AR and control group.Methods: A case-control study was performed from May 2019 to October 2019 in LNMC and JK hospital. All 54 children with physician diagnosed AR aged 12 to 18 years of both genders who have come in the OPD (total enumeration sampling) during the above mentioned period were enrolled into the study and their 54 healthy counterparts are taken as controls. Other parameters such as age, gender, occupation and region of residence were also compared between the groups.Results: This study found highly significant difference in the mean serum IgE levels while there is a significant difference in the mean serum vitamin D levels between two groups.Conclusions: The study group with AR had significantly higher mean level of serum IgE and lower mean serum vitamin D levels as compared to control groups. However, upon stratification of vitamin D levels, the differences were insignificant. Further studies should be conducted to know the value of IgE as a prognostic factor of AR severity and to throw more light on association of vitamin D with AR.