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Could Vitamin D Levels Affect Rheumatoid Arthritis Symptoms?

Lower vitamin D levels are associated with increased disease severity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA), according to findings presented at the 70th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting and Clinical Lab Expo in Chicago, Illinois.
Vitamin D has been shown to have immunomodulatory effects in a variety of diseases, and its deficiency has been linked to outcomes in patients with autoimmune diseases.
For their study, the researchers sought to evaluate the relationship between 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and the severity of disease in patients with RA.
They conducted a case control study involving 78 patients with RA (29 in remission and 49 with active disease), as well as 41 controls.
Using the DAS28 index, the researchers measured patients’ disease activity: remission (DAS28 < 2.6) and active disease (DAS28 >2.6). Vitamin D status was definied as “deficient” (25[OH]D <20 ng/mL), insufficient (25[OH]D between 20-30 ng/mL), and adequate (25[OH]D between 30-100 ng/mL).
Overall, levels of 25(OH)D were found to be lower in patients with RA vs healthy controls (24.30 [18,30-31,40] ng/mL vs. 30.20 [24.80-43.30] ng/mL, respectively), and also lower in patients with active disease vs remission (21.20 [15.70-27.20] ng/mL vs. 31.40 [24.4-44.00] ng/mL, respectively).
Of the patients with RA, 31% had vitamin D deficiency, 36% had inadequate vitamin D, and 33% had adequate vitamin D levels. Adequate levels were associated with a greater likelihood of remission while inadequate levels were associated with greater clinical activity.
“The levels of 25(OH)D are lower in patients with RA than in healthy controls. Vitamin D deficiency is associated with the clinical activity of the disease. The quantification of serum 25(OH)D levels and, consequently, vitamin D supplementation should be considered in the management of patients with RA.”

REFERENCE:
Garcia de Veas Silva JL, Lopez Velez M, Espuch Oliver A, et al. A-385 - Vitamin D and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis [presented at 70th AACC Annual Scientific Meeting & Clinical Lab Expo]. Chicago, Illinois. July 31, 2018.