Background
Low vitamin D status has been associated with vitiligo. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NBUVB)
therapy has improved vitamin D balance in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis;
however, few data are available on such effect in vitiligo and the relationship of vitamin
D levels with disease severity and repigmentation.
Objective
To investigate the influence of NB-UVB phototherapy on vitamin D status in vitiligo
patients.
Patients and methods
The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were assessed in 28 vitiligo patients before
and after exposure to 24 sessions of NB-UVB treatment. Baseline vitamin D levels of
patients were compared with those of 20 age and sex-matched healthy participants.
Clinical response was evaluated using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) scoring
system.
Results
Insufficient vitamin D levels (o75 nmol/l) were found in 78.6% of vitiligo patients,
compared with 15% of controls. The mean serum vitamin D value was significantly
lower than that in controls (Po0.001). After phototherapy, a significant increase in
vitamin D was observed (Po0.001). The increase in vitamin D was negatively
correlated with baseline vitamin D levels. However, there was no significant correlation
between vitamin D levels and vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score.
Conclusion
NB-UVB therapy improves low vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients, which may
contribute to its therapeutic efficacy.