Does vitamin D deficiency exacerbate hidradenitis suppurativa?

In this study, we aimed to compare vitamin D (25 Hydroxy Vitamin D (25 OH D)) levels in Hidradenitis Suppurativa (HS) patients with healthy control groups, and to investigate its possible relationship with disease severity. Our study is a retrospective cross-sectional study. A total of 36 patients diagnosed with HS who presented to our Dermatology clinic between January 2019 and December 2022 were included. Vitamin D levels were recorded by reviewing the patients' files and compared with healthy control groups. The relationship between the patients' 25 OH D levels and disease severity score was determined. The median age of the patient group was 33.5 (IQR; 25.2-42) years, and 30 (83.3%) were male. The median age of the healthy control group was 34.5 (IQR; 24-42), and 21 (58.3%) were male. In patients with severe 25 OH D deficiency, statistically significant findings were observed with a higher frequency of Hurley-3 disease severity score, whereas patients with mild to moderate deficiency or normal 25 OH D levels showed a higher frequency of disease severity classified as Hurley-1. (p=0.022). Additionally, patients with severe vitamin D deficiency had significantly higher C-reactive protein levels and body mass index (p=0.036 and p=0.044, respectively). Among patients with active lesions such as abscesses, nodules, and fistula, significantly lower vitamin D levels were observed compared to those without such lesions (p=0.020, p=0.032, and p=0.017, respectively). Vitamin D level in patients with HS (13.42 ng/mL (IQR: 8.00-18.65)) compared to the healthy control group (18.00 ng/mL (IQR: 14.12-22.87)) was statistically significant. was significantly lower (p=0.001). Vitamin D levels of HS patients are lower than healthy control groups. Inflammatory lesions are more common in patients with severe vitamin D deficiency and the disease tends to be more severe. [Med-Science 2023; 12(3.000): 859-64]