Background/Aim: Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory skin disease that is associated with a higher prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors. The effect of
vitamin D on bone health has been long known, but its extraskeletal role especially
in cardiovascular disease and skin disease, is the subject of recent research. This
study aimed to assess the influence of high-dose vitamin D supplementation on the
Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score and lipid profile in patients with
psoriasis.
Methods: The study included 20 adult patients with chronic plaque psoriasis. They
received vitamin D capsules in a daily dose of 5,000 IU over 12 weeks. Measured
serum concentrations of lipid metabolism parameters were triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and high-density lipoproteins
(HDL). PASI was used to determine the severity of the disease.
Results: High-doses vitamin D supplementation had a significant influence on reduction in PASI score in all patients (17.99 ± 12.42 vs 10.27 ± 8.53; p < 0.001). The
supplementation of high dose vitamin D induced statistically significant lowering
of the TC, LDL-C and TG in the psoriatic patients (p < 0.05). Furthermore, significant increase in serum HDL-C level was observed. The change of PASI score showed
week positive correlation with the changes in serum TC and LDL-C (r = 0.303, p =
0.03 and r = 0.357 p = 0.013).
Conclusion: High-dose vitamin D supplementation had a positive impact on clinical
status of the chronic plaque psoriasis patients, measured by PASI score. It also improved the serum lipid profile of these patients. Double-blinded prospective studies
are needed in order to get more comprehensive data related to vitamin D, lipid metabolism and severity of psoriasis.
