Serum Vitamin D3 Concentration Correlates with the Severity of Multiple Sclerosis (P05.101)

Abstract

Background:To investigate the possible association between serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration and the severity of disease in Iranian patients with multiple sclerosis (MS) and to compare this concentration with a matched control group.Methods:This was an analytical cross-sectional study performed at Jondishapour Neurology Clinic in Tehran, Iran. Patients with relapsing–remitting MS were categorized by disease severity: mild [0≤ Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) ≤3], moderate (3.5≤EDSS≤5.5), and severe (6≤EDSS). Serum concentrations of 25(OH) vitamin D3, calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, and parathyroid hormone were measured in 98 MS patients and 17 healthy age- and sex-matched controls. Fisher's exact, Kruskal–Wallis, Mann–Whitney U test, and independent t and Spearman rank correlation tests were used.Results:Serum 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration was significantly lower in patients with MS, especially in the severe MS subgroup, compared with healthy controls (P=0.047). There was a statistically significant inverse correlation between 25(OH) vitamin D3 concentration and EDSS score (P=0.049, R=−0.168 by Spearman rank correlation test), which was observed in women only (P=0.044, R=−0.199).Conclusions:Our findings not only further disclose the lower level of vitamin D in MS patients in comparison with healthy controls, but also support the association between vitamin D and disease severity in MS.

Vitamin D and Multiple Sclerosis: An Update

“…Interestingly, migration studies have shown that MS risk changes with migration from one place to another; however, age at migration plays a key role in determining the disease risk of the migrant (58,59). Recent studies have suggested an association between vitamin D levels and MS relapse rate as well as the degree of disability, and it was seen that patients with higher serum levels of vitamin D showed a lower relapse rate while lower levels of vitamin D appeared to be associated with higher levels of disability in patients measured in terms of expanded disability status scale (EDSS) score (60)(61)(62)(63).…”

25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with multiple sclerosis in Iran: A cross-sectional study

“…Given the recent changes in MS incidence in Iran, it is possible that studying environmental risk factors in this population may provide a better understanding of true risk factors for MS. Studies of 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in Iranian MS patients have been conflicting, with some studies showing no difference between patients and controls (Eskandari et al, 2015;Nikanfar et al, 2015), one study showing an effect on risk but no relation with disability (Nikanfar et al, 2015), and finally other studies showing an association with risk and/or disability (Shahbeigi et al, 2013;Harandi et al, 2012;Mazdeh et al, 2013). One of the reasons for the discrepancies between studies may be the use of relatively small sample sizes.…”

Vitamin D role in multiple sclerosis etiology and therapy

“…Pilot studije su takođe pokazale pozitivne efekte suplementacije vitamina D na nivoe citokina, njihovu bezbednost i podnošenje kod pacijenata sa multiplom sklerozom. Ova istraživanja su takođe postavila pitanje da li su niski nivoi serumskog vitamina D predisponirajući za nastanak multiple skleroze ili njena posledica zbog nedovoljne izloženosti uV zračenju sunca usled nastale invalidnosti (35).…”