The relationship of vitamin D to the MHAQ index, activity disease, and inflammation in a sample of Syrian rheumatoid disease patients

Abstract

Background: Vitamin D has an immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory role, and its deficiency has been linked with many autoimmune disorders, including rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The correlation ship between the severity of RA and serum levels of vitamin D is a subject of immense interest and therapeutic implications. Patients and Methods: A total of 100 patients previously diagnosed with RA were collected from visitors to the rheumatology clinic at the university hospital and their ages were over 18 years. The serum vitamin D value and the C-reactive protein (CRP) value were measured, and the Disease Activity Score CRP28 (DAS28CRP) and Modified Health Assessment Questionnaire (MHAQ) score were calculated to determine the severity and effectiveness of the disease and its relationship to vitamin D deficiency. Results: The average age of the patients ranged according to the patient’s age (46.03±11.291), we note that individuals whose ages ranged from 26 to 65 accounted for the largest percentage (94%), 83% of women (83) and 17% men (17), and the mean score for sun exposure was 15.80±5.446. Patients were individuals diagnosed with the disease between 5 and 10 years were the highest group, with a percentage of 31%. A total of 72% of the patients were not treated with corticosteroids, and 43% of the patients were treated with vitamin D. We found that the number of patients using biologic medications was 18%, and the number of patients using disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs was 88%. The mean of DAS28 was moderate in 63% of patients, and the average of the MHAQ score was 0.80±0.334. We found that there is no statically significant correlation between the serum vitamin D level and DAS28/CRP (P=0.733), and there is also no statically significant correlation between the serum value of vitamin D and the medications used, whether biological or disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (P=0.361). In addition, there is also no significant correlation between the serum vitamin D level and MHAQ score (P=0.100). Conclusion: There was no significant relationship between vitamin D deficiency and the disease activity or severity in a sample of patients with RA.