Vitamin D Levels, Systemic Lupus Erythematosus, and Rheumatoid Arthritis

Vitamin D is important to the health and wellness of one’s body. In order to absorb calcium and promote bone growth, one must have vitamin D. It also aids in the development of teeth and can even improve resistance against certain diseases. However, is there a connection to vitamin D and rheumatological issues? In a study published in Clinical Rheumatology, researchers aim to examine whether vitamin D levels are causally associated with risk of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or rheumatoid arthritis (RA). 

Mendelian randomization study finds no evidence of causal effect of vitamin D for risk of SLE #lupus or rheumatoid arthritis #RA @alhkim @psufka https://t.co/Uh0sFs6YXK

— Jeffrey Sparks MD MMSc (@jeffsparks) August 19, 2018

Disappointed to see this finding, since a way to prevent would be nice… https://t.co/88ktfOByoS

— Paul Sufka, MD (@psufka) August 19, 2018

For the study, two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses using the inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger regression methods. Publicly available summary statistics datasets were used in the study, including two vitamin D level genome-wide association studies (GWASs) as exposure and SLE and RA GWASs on people of European descent as outcomes.  

The results showed that the IVW, weighted median, and MR-Egger regression methods yielded no evidence of a causal association between vitamin D level and risk of SLE (beta = 0.032, SE = 0.119, p = 0.789; beta = 0.233, SE = 0.274, p = 0.552; beta = 0.054, SE = 0.125, p = 0.665; respectively) or RA (beta = 0.026, SE = 0.061, p = 0.664; beta = 0.025, SE = 0.065, p = 0.695; beta = 0.025, SE = 0.065, p = 0.695; respectively). 

“MR analysis did not support a causal association between the vitamin D level and SLE or RA,” the researchers concluded. 

Mendelian randomization will provide some additional insight, too: https://t.co/XbDsupU50J

h/t @jeffsparks

— J. Brian Byrd Lab (@thebyrdlab) August 19, 2018

Check out an article on anaerobes in human chronic wounds. 

SOURCE: Clinical Rheumatology