ABSTRACT

In the present study, an inverse relationship has been found between serum vitamin D levels and disease activity in male AS patients and it was concluded that serum vitamin D levels should also be taken into account while developing a treatment plan.

BASDAI scores were statistically significantly higher in the group with serum 25(OH)D vitamin levels less than 20 ng/mL compared to the group with 25(OH)D levels above 20 ng/mL (p<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between groups in terms of ESR, serum levels of CRP, parathormone, calcium, phosphorus and alkaline phosphatase.

The study enrolled 51 male AS patients being followed at our hospital. Patient demographics as well as serum levels of 25(OH)D vitamin, C-reactive protein (CRP), calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase and parathormone, and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) at 1 hour were recorded. Patients were divided into two groups based on their serum 25(OH)D vitamin levels; one group consisted of 21 patients with 25(OH)D vitamin levels less than 20 ng/mL and the other group comprised 30 patients with 25(OH)D levels greater than 20 ng/mL. Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI) scores were evaluated in order to determine the disease activity.

To examine the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] level and disease activity in male patients with ankylosing spondylitis (AS).