Introduction: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterized by persistent synovitis, systemic inflammation, and autoantibodies. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to increased inflammation in RA patients. This study aims to investigate the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and inflammatory markers in individuals diagnosed with RA.
Methods: This cross-sectional study included 120 patients diagnosed with RA, recruited from a rheumatology clinic. The sample comprised 78 females and 42 males, with a mean age of 52.3 years (SD = 10.4). Serum levels of vitamin D were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Inflammatory markers, including C-reactive protein (CRP) and erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), were also assessed. Patients were classified into two groups based on their vitamin D levels: deficient (<20 ng/mL) and sufficient (≥20 ng/mL).
Results: Results
Among the 120 RA patients, 85 (70.8%) were found to have vitamin D deficiency, while 35 (29.2%) had sufficient vitamin D levels. The mean CRP level in the vitamin D deficient group was 28.4 mg/L, compared to 14.6 mg/L in the sufficient group. Similarly, the mean ESR was higher in the deficient group, with an average of 40.2 mm/hr versus 22.8 mm/hr in the sufficient group. Statistical analysis showed a significant correlation between low vitamin D levels and higher CRP (p<0.001) and ESR (p<0.001) values
Conclusion: The findings indicate a significant association between vitamin D deficiency and elevated inflammatory markers in RA patients. These results suggest that maintaining adequate vitamin D levels may play a role in managing inflammation in RA. Further research is needed to explore the potential benefits of vitamin D supplementation in reducing inflammatory responses in RA.