Patterns of Vitamin D Levels and Exposures in Active and Inactive Noninfectious Uveitis Patients

Mar 13, 2020

PURPOSE

To compare serum vitamin D levels and patterns of ultraviolet and dietary exposure between patients with active and inactive non-infectious uveitis, and population controls.

DESIGN

RESULTS

The median level of serum vitamin D in those with active uveitis (n=74) was 46 nmol/L (29, 70), significantly lower than the inactive control group (n=77) at 64nmol/L (52, 79; p<0.001). The active uveitis group also had lower median serum vitamin D levels than the local population median of 62nmol/L (IQR 46, 77).
Vitamin D supplementation was also significantly associated with uveitis inactivity (Kendall’s tau test, p=0.026).
In a sub-analysis of vitamin D deficient participants, sun exposure was significantly associated with uveitis inactivity (p=0.014 for weekday and weekend analyses).

CONCLUSION

Participants with active uveitis had significantly lower serum 25-hydroxyvitamin-D levels than inactive uveitis patients and local population-based estimates.
Vitamin D supplementation was found to be associated with decreased uveitis activity, as was sun exposure in those with vitamin D deficiency.
These results suggest that vitamin D supplementation should be studied as an option for the prevention of uveitis relapse in at-risk patients

TAKE-HOME MESSAGE

Patients with uveitis completed a questionnaire on vitamin D exposure and underwent serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D measurement to investigate the effects of vitamin D levels on uveitis.
Results showed that patients with active uveitis had lower serum vitamin D levels than those with inactive uveitis and local population estimates.
Furthermore, in patients with low levels of vitamin D, increased sunlight exposure was associated with uveitis inactivity.
The authors suggest that these results support the association between vitamin D deficiency and autoimmune disorders.

REFERENCE

Ophthalmology 2019 Jul 11;[EPub Ahead of Print]

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