Serum vitamin D, sun exposure and clinical attributes of local patients with respiratory allergies

Abstract

Background: Involvement of vitamin D deficiency has been suggested in respiratory allergies which are common all over the world. Inadequate sun exposure has been associated with vitamin D deficiency as cutaneous synthesis of vitamin D occurs in sunlight. The present study examined serum vitamin D status and sun exposure in patients having respiratory allergies. Materials and Methods: Adult patients having respiratory allergies (n=35) were compared with age-matched controls without any respiratory allergy (n=35). Sun exposure and serum vitamin D levels were determined. Subjects were further segregated on the basis of their duration of sun exposure and vitamin D status. Results: Serum vitamin D levels were not different between the groups (controls 37.06 + 20.91 ng/ml v/s patients 40.07 + 10.97 ng/ml, p=0.380). Sun exposure-based analysis also did not reveal any difference in serum vitamin D levels.74.28% of the controls and 48.57% of patients had less than 1-hour daily sun exposure. Conclusion: Vitamin D levels in patients having respiratory allergies are comparable to non-allergic healthy individuals. Longer sun exposure seems to have adverse influence on respiratory allergies.