title: Serum 25(OH) Vitamin D levels is not associated with disability in multiple sclerosis patients: A case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  It seems that serum vitamin D levels are one of the potential environmental factors affecting the severity of multiple sclerosis (MS). In this study, we aim to evaluate vitamin D levels in MS patients and healthy subjects and assess the relationship between vitamin D level and disability.
  
  
  METHODS
  In this case-control study, 168 rapid relapsing MS patients and 168 matched healthy controls were randomly included in this study. Demographic characteristics and serum vitamin D levels for patients and controls, as well as expanded disability status scale (EDSS), duration of disease and diagnostic lag for patients were evaluated. We followed up patients for 6 months and relapses were recorded.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean serum vitamin D levels were 19.16 ± 17.37 inpatients and 25.39 ± 19.67 in controls (P = 0.560). The mean serum vitamin D levels were 12.65 ± 13.3 in patients with relapses and 22.08 ± 18.22 in patients without any relapses (P < 0.001). There was no significant correlation between EDSS score and serum vitamin D levels (r = -0.08, P = 0.280). There was a significant positive correlation between EDSS score and disease duration (r = 0.52, P < 0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  In conclusion, vitamin D level in patients with MS was significantly lower than the healthy subjects, but no significant relationship was found between vitamin D levels and disability. Our findings did not suggest a protective role for serum vitamin D levels against disability.
authors: Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Masoud
authors: M
authors: Nikanfar
authors: Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Ali Akbar
authors: AA
authors: Taheri-Aghdam
authors: Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Maria
authors: M
authors: Yazdani
authors: Department of Neurology, Neuroscience Research Center, Imam Reza Hospital, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Sheida
authors: S
authors: Shaafi
authors: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Nooshin
authors: N
authors: Masoudian
authors: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Hossein
authors: H
authors: Akbari
authors: Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Parisa
authors: P
authors: Youhanaee
authors: Department of Nutrition, School of Nutrition and Health, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz, Iran.
authors: Hamzeh
authors: H
authors: Abbaszadeh
keywords: Disability; Multiple sclerosis; Serum 25(OH) vitamin D level