Vitamin D Level in SLE Patients with or without Renal Involvement and its Relationship with Disease Activity (SLEDAI)

Author(s): Farnaz Nobi, Khaleda Akhter, Shanjida Sultana Juthy, Samira Khatun, Madhabi Karmaker

Abstract Background: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by multisystem involvement, with lupus nephritis (LN) being a major complication. Vitamin D, known for its immunomodulatory properties, has been implicated in SLE pathogenesis, with deficiency potentially contributing to increased disease activity.

Aim of the study: This study aimed to evaluate serum vitamin D levels in SLE patients with and without renal involvement and investigate their correlation with disease activity, as measured by the Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Disease Activity Index (SLEDAI).

Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted at Dhaka Medical College Hospital, Bangladesh, over one year (April 2018–March 2019). A total of 130 participants were enrolled, including SLE patients with nephropathy (n=50), SLE patients without nephropathy (n=50), and healthy controls (n=30). Serum vitamin D levels were measured and compared across groups, and correlations with disease activity were assessed using statistical analyses.

Result: Vitamin D levels were significantly lower in SLE patients with nephropathy (14.92 ± 3.76 ng/mL) compared to those without nephropathy (19.65 ± 6.15 ng/mL) and healthy controls (23.95 ± 8.81 ng/mL) (p<0.001). A negative correlation was observed between vitamin D levels and SLEDAI scores, indicating that lower vitamin D levels were associated with higher disease activity.

Conclusion: SLE patients, particularly those with renal involvement, exhibit significant vitamin D deficiency, which correlates with increased disease activity. These findings highlight the potential need for routine vitamin D screening and supplementation in SLE management to mitigate disease progression.