On lupus, vitamin D and leukopenia.
BACKGROUND
Immune regulation is among the noncalcemic effects of vitamin D. So, this vitamin may play a role in autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).


OBJECTIVE
To study the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in SLE and its association with clinical, serological and treatment profile as well as with disease activity.


METHODS
Serum OH vitamin D3 levels were measured in 153 SLE patients and 85 controls. Data on clinical, serological and treatment profile of lupus patients were obtained through chart review. Blood cell count and SLEDAI (SLE disease activity index) were measured simultaneously with vitamin D determination.


RESULTS
SLE patients have lower levels of vitamin D than controls (p=0.03). In univariate analysis serum vitamin D was associated with leukopenia (p=0.02), use of cyclophosphamide (p=0.007) and methotrexate (p=0.03). A negative correlation was verified with prednisone dose (p=0.003). No association was found with disease activity measured by SLEDAI (p=0.88). In a multiple regression study only leukopenia remained as an independent association (B=4.04; p=0.02). A negative correlation of serum vitamin level with granulocyte (p=0.01) was also found, but not with lymphocyte count (p=0.33).


CONCLUSIONS
SLE patients have more deficiency of vitamin D than controls. This deficiency is not associated with disease activity but with leucopenia (granulocytopenia).
Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Juliana A
JA
Simioni
Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil.
Flavia
F
Heimovski
Rheumatology Unit, Hospital Universitário Evangélico de Curitiba, Curitiba, PR, Brazil. Electronic address: tskare@onda.com.br.
Thelma L
TL
Skare
D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D006801:Humans; D007970:Leukopenia / Q000453:epidemiology*; D008180:Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic / Q000097:blood / Q000453:epidemiology*; D014807:Vitamin D / Q000097:blood; D014808:Vitamin D Deficiency / Q000453:epidemiology*
D015415:Biomarkers; D014807:Vitamin D
Granulocitopenia; Granulocytopenia; Leucopenia; Leukopenia; Lúpus eritematoso sistêmico; Systemic lupus erythematosus; Vitamin D; Vitamina D