Active Crohn's disease is associated with low vitamin D levels.

Abstract

BACKGROUND AND AIMS:

Crohn's disease prevalence increases with increasing latitude. Because most vitamin D comes from sunlight exposure and murine models of intestinal inflammation have demonstrated beneficial effects of 1,25-(OH)2 vitamin D treatment, we hypothesised that Crohn's disease activity is associated with low vitamin D levels.

METHODS:

In a cross-sectional study of 182 CD patients and 62 healthy controls, we measured serum 25-OH vitamin D. Stratified analysis was used to compare 25-OH vitamin D levels with Crohn's disease activity index, C-reactive protein, smoking status, intake of oral vitamin D supplements and seasonal variation in CD patients and healthy controls.

RESULTS:

Serum 25-OH vitamin D was inversely associated with disease activity: Median 25-OH vitamin D levels of Crohn's disease in remission, mildly, and moderately active diseases evaluated by Crohn's disease activity index were 64, 49, and 21 nmol/l (p<0.01) and by CRP 68, 76, and 35 nmol/l (p<0.05), respectively. Patients who took oral vitamin D supplementation had lower Crohn's disease activity index (p<0.05) and C-reactive protein (p=0.07) than non-users. Crohn's disease patients who smoked had lower vitamin D levels (51 nmol/l) than patients who did not smoke (76 nmol/l), p<0.01. Overall, Crohn's disease patients did not differ from healthy controls regarding 25-OH vitamin D levels.

CONCLUSIONS:

Active Crohn's disease was associated with low serum 25-OH vitamin D. Patients who smoked had lower 25-OH vitamin D levels than patients who did not smoke, independently of disease activity.

• Authors: Søren Peter Jørgensen, Christian Lodberg Hvas, Jørgen Agnholt, Lisbet Ambrosius Christensen, Lene Heickendorff, Jens Frederik Dahlerup
• Journal: Journal of Crohn's & colitis (J Crohns Colitis) Vol. 7 Issue 10 Pg. e407-13 (Nov 2013) ISSN: 1876-4479 [Electronic] England
• PMID: 23403039 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)
• Copyright: Copyright © 2013 European Crohn's and Colitis Organisation. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.

Chemical References

• Vitamins
• Vitamin D
• C-Reactive Protein
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D

Topics

• Adolescent
• Adult
• Aged
• C-Reactive Protein (metabolism)
• Case-Control Studies
• Crohn Disease (blood)
• Cross-Sectional Studies
• Dietary Supplements
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Seasons
• Severity of Illness Index
• Smoking (blood)
• Vitamin D (administration & dosage, analogs & derivatives, blood)
• Vitamins (administration & dosage)
• Young Adult