Association of Vitamin D Levels and Chronic Rhinosinusitis

ObjectiveVitamin D decreases the risk of chronic illnesses and has been implicated in asthma, allergic rhinitis, and anaphylaxis. We questioned whether vitamin D levels might be associated with chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS), using a case-control sample.MethodsSerum 25(OH)-vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were measured in African-American (n=65) and Caucasian (n=89) adults with and without CRS, recruited at an urban, tertiary care, academic hospital. Case definition met consensus diagnostic criteria and included endoscopy and imaging, with normal imaging studies in controls. Data were stratified by sex, race, season, and body-mass index (BMI), factors known to affect levels.ResultsThere were no significant differences in 25(OH)D levels between Caucasian cases and controls in either sex, including when analyzed by season. Levels in African-Americans with CRS were significantly lower than controls (males: cases 15.4 ± 2.1 ng/mL, controls 26 ± 2.6, P?0.01; females: cases 13.5 ± 2.0, controls 20.8 ± 2.6, P?0.03). Acc...