title: Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels in patients with atopic eczema and the influence of narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Narrowband ultraviolet B phototherapy (nbUVB) is an established treatment modality for patients with severe atopic dermatitis (AD) and is known to increase serum vitamin D levels (SVD). The relationship between SVD and AD remains unclear.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To assess SVD and disease severity in patients with AD before and after nbUVB and establish whether a change in SVD correlates to response to nbUVB. Methods: A single-centre, open observational study recruited 21 male and 17 female patients with AD between November and April. Eczema severity was measured using the SCORAD tool, and serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D3 levels were determined before and after nbUVB, which was administered thrice weekly.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Nine patients had severe AD, 23 moderate and six mild, as indicated by SCORAD measurements. Seventeen patients completed the study. Median SVD increased from 45 nmol/l pre-treatment to 169 nmol/l post-treatment (95% CI 2.9–5.0 times baseline) (P < 0.0001). Mean SCORAD reduction following nbUVB was significant at 21.9 units (95% CI, 14.9–28.9) (P < 0.0001). No evidence of a relationship between change in SCORAD and change in SVD was found.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A significant number of patients failed to complete the study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Patients with AD are at risk of vitamin D deficiency. Correlation between this and disease severity has been postulated, but this study does not provide confirmatory evidence.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Department, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Harrogate Road, Leeds LS7 4SA, UK. rebecca.rose@leedsth.nhs.uk
authors.forename: Rebecca F
authors.initials: RF
authors.lastname: Rose
authors.forename: Christina
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Williams
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Oliphant
authors.forename: Fiona
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Browne
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Turner
authors.forename: Victoria
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Goulden
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D003876:Dermatitis, Atopic / Q000097:blood / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010789:Phototherapy; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000097:blood; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D014807:Vitamin D; C104450:25-hydroxyvitamin D