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Metabolic parameters, 25(OH)D levels inversely related among psoriatic patients without arthritis

Psoriatic patients without arthritis displayed an inverse correlation between 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and lipid and metabolic parameters, while patients with arthritis did not, according to recent study data.

In a cross-sectional study researchers recruited 122 matched patients with psoriasis from dermatology and rheumatology departments at a hospital in Granada, Spain. Patients were categorized as patients without arthritis (n=61) and those with arthritis (n=61) and evaluated for lipid and metabolic variables, along with 25-hydroxyvitamin D (serum 25[OH]D) levels. Serum 25(OH)D levels were measured within a 2-month window to minimize seasonal variations.

Among the patients without arthritis, researchers observed inverse relationships between 25(OH)D levels and low-density lipoproteins (r=–0.415; P=.001), total cholesterol (r=–0.440; P=.000), total cholesterol/high-density lipoprotein (HDL; r=–0.303; P=.01), fasting glucose (r=–0.285; P=.026) and triglycerides (r=–0.280; P=.029). No correlation with HDL was found (r=–0.006; P=.962). All metabolic parameters except triglycerides and total cholesterol/HDL remained statistically significant under multivariate analysis.

There were no associations detected between metabolic parameters and 25(OH)D levels in patients with psoriatic arthritis.

“Low levels of vitamin D in psoriatic patients without arthritis were associated with high levels of total cholesterol, LDL, total cholesterol/HDL, triglycerides, and glycemia,” the researchers concluded. “These associations were not observed in psoriatic patients with arthritis. Interventional studies with vitamin-D supplementation are required to verify these metabolic benefits in psoriatic patients without arthritis.”

Disclosure: The researchers report no relevant financial disclosures.