Vitamin D Levels and Disease Activity in Children with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Objectives: This study aims to evaluate the association between vitamin D deficiency and disease activity in children with juvenile systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Patients and methods: A total of 16 children (13 girls and 3 boys; mean age 14.47 years; range 5-18) with SLE who were under follow-up in our clinic were included in this study. The medical records of the children along with the demographic data, disease duration, treatments received, disease activity, and 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25-(OH)D] levels were evaluated. Systemic lupus erythematosus disease activity (SLEDAI) scores were calculated on the day the serum samples were drawn. Results: The median follow-up period was 30 (range 9 to 55) months. The mean serum vitamin D level was 22.04 +/- 16.75 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency (serum vitamin D level of <15 ng/ml) was found in half of the patients. Six of them had significantly lower vitamin D levels (<= 10 ng/ml). A significant negative correlation between the serum concentrations of vitamin D and the SLEDAI scores was found (r=-0.711, p=0.002). Conclusion: Our study results show that there is a strong negative association between disease activity and vitamin D deficiency in children with SLE. The vitamin D levels of these patients should be evaluated on a regular basis, and vitamin D supplements should be given, if necessary.