Review

Potential benefits of vitamin D for patients with systemic lupus erythematosus

Volume 4, Issue 2   April/May/June 2012
Pages 146 - 151
http://dx.doi.org/10.4161/derm.20443
Keywords: autoimmune disease, review, systemic lupus erythematosus, vitamin D
Authors: Abha Singh and Diane L. Kamen

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Abstract:
Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a complex multi-system autoimmune disease. Vitamin D deficiency has been proposed as an environmental trigger of disease onset and as a contributor to increased SLE activity. SLE patients are prone to develop vitamin D deficiency because of photosensitivity leading to sun avoidance and other sun protective measures. The impact of vitamin D on immune function previously seen in vitro and in cross-sectional studies has now been shown in prospective human studies, strengthening the evidence that there is a connection between SLE and vitamin D status. This review describes the role of vitamin D on immune function, prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with SLE, identify risk factors for deficiency, describe the consequences of deficiency in SLE patients, and review current vitamin D recommendations for patients with SLE.

Received: April 9, 2012; Accepted: April 19, 2012

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