Vitamin D in Systemic Sclerosis Patients with Dry Eye Syndrome

Purpose : The purpose of this study was to explore the clinical and pathogenic significance of vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) in systemic sclerosis (SSc) patients with dry eye syndrome (DES). The relationship between the severity of DES, SSc disease activity and levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D was investigated. Methods : In this cross-sectional study, 32 consecutive patients with SSc and DES were enrolled. We measured blood concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25 OH D) and correlated the results with SSc disease activity calculated with modified Rodman Skin Score (mRSS), Tear osmolarity measurements (TearLab system), Tear Break-Up Time (TBUT) test, and Schirmer tests (type I and II). Results : Levels of 25 OH D were decreased in all SSc patients with DES as compared to normal controls and the reduced levels of 25 OH D were stable over the observed period of 2 months. Levels of 25 OH D correlated inversely with mRSS score and tear osmolarity (r = 0.610, p < 0.001), positively correlated with Schirmer values, (r = -0.231, p = 0.045), and TBUT values (r = -0.325, p = 0.007) among all patients. Conclusions : Our study demonstrated a high relationship with SSc disease acitivity, severity of DES and low levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D.