Association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ concentrations and disease activity in rheumatoid arthritis: A cross-sectional study

Abstract

Objective: To investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D₃ [25(OH)D₃] concentrations and disease activity in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). Patients and Methods:This cross-sectional study included 200 adults with RA and 77 healthy controls. Serum 25(OH)D₃ concentrations were measured by electrochemiluminescence immunoassay. Vitamin D status was classified as deficiency, insufficiency, or sufficiency. Disease activity was assessed using the Disease Activity Score in 28 joints based on erythrocyte sedimentation rate (DAS28-ESR). Associations were evaluated using correlation and multivariable regression analyses. Results: Serum 25(OH)D₃ concentrations were significantly lower in patients with RA than in controls (20.2 ± 18.3 vs. 60.3 ± 25.5 ng/mL, p<0.001). Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency was present in 81.5% of patients. Serum 25(OH)D₃ concentrations were not significantly associated with DAS28-ESR, erythrocyte sedimentation rate, or C-reactive protein (CRP). Multivariable analysis confirmed no independent association between vitamin D status and disease activity. Conclusion:Vitamin D deficiency is common in RA but is not independently associated with disease activity. Low vitamin D status may be a consequence rather than a determinant of chronic inflammation.

Keywords

• Rheumatoid arthritis
• 25-hydroxyvitamin D
• Disease activity
• DAS28
• Inflammation

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