Evaluation of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in alopecia areata of scalp: a cross sectional observational study

Background: Alopecia areata (AA) is a T cell-mediated autoimmune disorder of anagen hair follicle leading to distressing and relapsing non-scarring hair loss. Vitamin D an immunomodulator plays important role in regulating normal hair cycle. Recent evidence suggests inconsistent association between vitamin D deficiency and alopecia areata. Methods: Hospital-based cross-sectional observational study of forty untreated cases of alopecia areata and forty age and sex-matched healthy controls in 18-45 years of age group recruited from out-patient department. Each patient will undergo a detailed history, clinical examination and SALT (Severity of alopecia tool) scoring. Enhanced chemiluminesence method (Eci) will be used to estimate serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25(OH)D]. Results: The mean 25(OH)D level in patients of AA was 12.45±4.80 ng/ml (deficient), while that of controls was 33.73±10.02ng/ml (normal). The difference between the levels of 25(OH)D in patients of AA and controls came out to be statistically significant (p≤0.0001). A strong negative correlation was seen between SALT score and 25(OH)D level (-0.32), which was found to be statistically significant (p=0.0462). Conclusions: The present study established that vitamin D levels are either insufficient/deficient in alopecia areata and it correlates negatively with severity of SALT (severity of alopecia tool) score.