Efficacy and Safety of Active Vitamin D Supplementation in Chronic Spontaneous Urticaria Patients.

Background: Chronic spontaneous urticaria (CSU) is a common skin disorder affecting negatively patients' lives. Vitamin D deficiency has been reported to be associated to many allergic skin disorders. Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association between the serum level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D and CSU and to assess the efficacy and safety of active vitamin D in management of CSU.Methods: The study was conducted on 77 patients with CSU and 67 healthy controls, then the 77 CSU patients were randomized to either the study group that received 0.25ug alfacalcidol daily or the placebo group that received oral placebo for 12 weeks. Results: Serum 25(OH) D was significantly lower in CSU as compared to healthy controls and was negatively correlated to the urticarial severity. After alfacalcidol administration, the study group showed significant higher level of 25(OH) D compared to placebo group. In addition, mean serum level of IL6, hsCRP and TNFalpha significantly decreased in the study group in comparison to placebo group and as compared to their baseline results. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is more common in CSU patients as compared to healthy people and hence, alfacalcidol might have a beneficial role as add on therapy in CSU management with no reported side effects.