The Possible Protective Role of Vitamin D against Allergic Rhinitis in Saudi Adults

Objective: Several novel roles for Vitamin D have emerged. Besides its role in bone mineralization, it has a protective role against cancer, diabetes mellitus, multiple sclerosis, and immunological disorders. Our aim is to determine the possible role of vitamin D against allergic rhinitis in Saudi adults. Design: A cross-sectional study. Patients were asked to answer a questionnaire and blood samples were collected to analyze vitamin D level, 25(OH) D, blood count, and renal profile. Setting: Department of Otorhinolaryngology, King Abdulaziz University Hospital, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia Subjects: A total of 976 patients from 1 January to 30 September, 2014 Intervention: Data on age, gender and blood samples of patients were obtained. Continuous variables were described as means +/- standard deviation (SDs). Categorical variables were described as frequency and percentage. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed to determine the odds for allergic rhinitis. Main Outcome Measures: Vitamin D level Results: The mean vitamin D level was 43.3 +/- 3.17 ng/ml. Vitamin D deficiency (vitamin D < 10 ng/ml) was present in 51 (5.2%) participants, and vitamin D insufficiency (vitamin D: 10.1 -29.9 ng/ml) was present in 634 (65%) while 291 (29.8%) patients were normal. Allergic rhinitis was present in 221 (22.7%) patients and they had significantly lower levels of vitamin D than those without rhinitis (21.57 +/- 2.84 vs. 46.66 +/- 3.076, p = 0.001). Conclusion: There is a potential association between Vitamin D level and allergic rhinitis in Saudi adults. Further studies are needed to evaluate the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on prevention or progress of allergic rhinitis.