Bronchial Asthma Correlates with Vitamin D Status of Adult Women in North Jordan

We wanted to study the association between Vitamins D and A levels and Asthma in adult females in northern Jordan where there is limited sun exposure because of social clothing customs. 68 asthmatics and 77 control age related females were enrolled. Patients with asthma exacerbation within 1 month of the study, diseases that might affect vitamin D or history of smoking were excluded. Control group consists of individuals with no history of asthma, were screened for asthma symptoms using asthma Life Quality test questionnaire and had normal flow spirometry. Asthma severity was classified according to GINA guidelines using Asthma Control Test (ACT) questionnaire. Vitamins D and A serum levels were measured using LC/MS and HPLC methods respectively. Statistical analysis was performed using Independent Sample t-tests. Statistically significant difference (p value of 0.027) was found between the mean level of vitamin D in Asthmatics (8.3 ± 3.22 μg/dL) and controls (10.5 ± 7.63 μg/dL). Vitamin A levels were not significantly different between Asthmatics (441.1 ± 121.7 μg/dL) and controls (418.6 ± 95.6 μg/dL). Asthma patients were found to have a more severe form of vitamin D deficiency and deficiency level correlated with the severity of asthma control. This can be explained by a possible causative effect of vitamin D deficiency on Asthma phenotype or as a result of limitation of out-door activities and sun exposure caused by asthma. Further study for a possible therapeutic effect of vitamin D supplement on Asthma control and severity might be needed.