title: Rheumatoid arthritis disease activity and vitamin D deficiency in an Asian resident population.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  We aimed to assess the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and its association with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) disease activity in a UAE population.
  
  
  METHODS
  Forty-five consecutive subjects were prospectively recruited during the early summer with their clinical examination and Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) being recorded at a clinic appointment, along with their blood sample being taken for the 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) total test.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Thirty-five (76%) patients claimed to be exposed to sunlight for < 30 min daily. The prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (20-30 ng/mL) and deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) was 36% and 29%, respectively. RA patients who exposed their hands and feet (29 ng/mL) or more (34 ng/mL) to the sunlight had serum vitamin D levels higher than those who exposed their hands alone (18 ng/mL) or less (19 ng/mL) (P < 0.05). The variations in vitamin D levels due to skin color did not reach significance. No significant correlation was seen between serum vitamin D levels and Disease Activity Score (DAS28) or HAQ scores. A direct relationship was observed between HAQ scores and DAS28 scores (P < 0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We highlight the importance of skin exposure to sunlight in a conservative dressing culture. No association was observed between vitamin D and disease activity. However, the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency may negatively impact on bone health of these patients in the future.
authors.affiliation: Department of Renal Medicine, Heart of England NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, UK.
authors.forename: Mohammed K
authors.initials: MK
authors.lastname: Quraishi
authors.affiliation: Department of Rheumatology, Dr. Humeira Badsha Medical Center, Dubai, UAE.
authors.forename: Humeira
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Badsha
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001172:Arthritis, Rheumatoid / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*; D001208:Asia / Q000208:ethnology; D044466:Asian People; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D003020:Clothing; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011863:Radioimmunoassay; D012307:Risk Factors; D012621:Seasons; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012867:Skin / Q000528:radiation effects; D013472:Sunlight; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013997:Time Factors; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D
keywords: Emirates; United Arab Emirates; association; rheumatoid arthritis; vitamin D