Correlation between serum 25(OH)D levels with severity of work-related hand eczema among healthcare workers: a cross-sectional study

Hand eczema (HE) is a common condition seen in medical facilities, particularly during the COVID-19 pandemic. The effects of vitamin D on skin inflammation are diverse. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship between vitamin D levels in healthcare workers as determined by serum 25(OH)D and the severity of HE. In Indonesia, between September and October of 2022, a cross-sectional design was employed for this analytical descriptive study. The hand eczema severity index was used to determine the severity of HE. Out of the 44 healthcare workers who had HE, the findings indicated that 29 had mild HE, 11 had moderate HE, and 4 had severe HE. Subjects with mild, moderate, and severe HE had mean serum 25(OH)D levels of 17.85 ng/mL, 16.45 ng/mL, and 17.87 ng/mL, respectively, falling into the vitamin D deficiency category. Serum 25(OH)D levels and the severity of HE did not significantly correlate (r=-0.056; p=0.359). Serum 25(OH)D levels did not significantly differ between subjects with mild, moderate, and severe HE. The degree of HE was not negatively correlated with serum 25(OH)D levels.