Role of vitamin D supplementation in asthma and seasonal allergic rhinitis in eastern India

Background: Allergic rhinitis (AR) known to be a common type of chronic rhinitis which affects 10-20% of the general population while asthma is another major health problem and leading cause of morbidity in the worldwide. Vitamin D, a steroid hormone known for its important role in immunological effects has a role in AR and asthma.Aims and Objectives: The aim of our study was to assess the serum vitamin D levels in patients with asthma and seasonal AR pre-treatment or post treatment with oral vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol – 1000 IU) and to study the pathogenesis of the disease.Materials and Methods: The study included 66 AR and asthma patients and 46 control subjects.Fasting serum samples of control and AR subjects were analyzed for routine biochemical parameters immediately after collection while aliquots of the samples were also stored at - 200 C for the assay of 25-hydroxyvitamin D by ELISA.Results: Serum vitamin D levels were found to be significantly lower in AR and asthma patients compared with controls (p < 0.0001). On receiving vitamin D supplementation (cholecalciferol – 1000 IU) we found an increase in vitamin D serum levels in AR and asthma patients as compared to controls (p < 0.0001).Conclusion: Supplementation of vitamin D may be beneficial in the prevention of the pathogenesis of AR and asthma.Asian Journal of Medical Sciences Vol.8(3) 2017 26-29