Background/Objectives: Acne vulgaris is a common inflammatory skin disease. Vitamin
D deficiency plays a role in many inflammatory skin diseases. It may play a role
in pathogenesis of acne vulgaris. This study aimed to assess serum levels of 25
hydroxy vitamin D in patients with acne vulgaris before and after treatment with
isotretinoin and its relation with acne vulgaris severity.
Methods: Ninety patients with acne vulgaris and 60 age-sex matched healthy subject
as controls have been recruited in this study. Patients were treated with
0.75 mg/kg/d isotretinoin for 3 months. Serum level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D has
been measured at baseline and after treatment.
Results: Serum levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D were significantly higher in patients
with acne vulgaris than healthy controls (P = .001). There was a significant inverse
relation between level of 25 hydroxy vitamin D and severity of acne vulgaris before
treatment (P = .001). Serum levels of 25 hydroxy vitamin D were significantly
increased after isotretinoin treatment in patients with acne vulgaris (P = .001).
Conclusion: This study concluded that vitamin D may play a potential role in pathogenesis
of acne vulgaris or acne vulgaris may have a negative effect on vitamin D
synthesis. Further studies are needed to confirm these potential relations.