Rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis increases risk of vitamin D deficiency, says large study

People with rheumatoid arthritis, ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis have been found to be more likely to have vitamin D deficiency than matched healthy people, experts reported at the European League Against Rheumatism Annual European Congress of Rheumatology.

A total of 775 people with rheumatoid arthritis, 738 patients with ankylosing spondylitis and 721 people with psoriatic arthritis took part in the 10-year study in Spain and were compared to 677 matched people. Average vitamin D levels were:

• 24.8 ng/mL in the healthy people;
• 20.4 ng/mL in people with rheumatoid arthritis;
• 20.9 ng/mL in patients with ankylosing spondylitis;
• 20 ng/mL in people psoriatic arthritis.

And vitamin D deficiency was found in:
• 26.7% in the health people;
• 40.5% in people with rheumatoid arthritis;
• 39.7% in people with ankylosing spondylitis;
• 40.9% in people with psoriatic arthritis.

Vitamin D deficiency was also significantly associated with the presence of anti-cyclic citrullinated peptide antibodies in people with rheumatoid arthritis and in the Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index in patients with ankylosing spondylitis.

Where does vitamin D come from?
We get most of the vitamin D we need from sunlight on our skin. Good dietary sources of vitamin D include oily fish (such as salmon, sardines and mackerel), eggs and fortified fat spreads and breakfast cereals.
The NHS recommends that people aged 65 years and older (and anyone not exposed to much sun) should take a daily supplement containing 10 micrograms (0.01mg) of vitamin D.

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