18A173

Low vitamin D levels in patients with sysystemic lupus erythematous

Author(s)

A. Gorman, M. Doran.

Department(s)/Institutions

Rheumatology Department, St. James's Hospital, Dublin

Introduction

Low vitamin D levels have been associated with increased risk flair in patients with systemic lupus erythematous (SLE). Vitamin D deficiency is common in the general Irish population.The Irish Longitudinal Study on Ageing have shown that 13.1% of adults over the aged of 50 are vitamin D deficient in Ireland.

Aims/Background

The aim of this study was to assess the incidence of vitamin D deficiency in a dedicated SLE clinic. We also wished to explore if vitamin D deficiency is more common in patients aged over 50 with SLE than the normal Irish population aged over 50.

Method

Clinical notes and bloods test results were reviewed on patients attending a dedicated SLE clinic at St James’s Hospital, Dublin from May 2016 to May 2018 . Data collection included sex, age, vitamin D levels, disease stability and wether Vitamin D levels were checked after treatment.

Results

Of the 88 patients, 58 patients had their vitamin D levels checked between May 2016 and May 2018. 8.8% (10) had vitamin D insufficiency (30–50 nmol/l) and 14.77% (13 )had deficiency (<30 nmol/l) with 35 patients having normal Vitamin D levels. Table 1 outline their demographics.

Of those with vitamin D deficiency, only one patient had their vitamin levels checked to ensure they had normalised. 15.38% of patients with vitamin D deficiency had active SLE. In comparison 14.28% of patients with normal Vitamin D had active SLE. Only 21.74% of patients with Vitamin D deficiency or insufficiency had their Vitamin D levels rechecked to ensure they had normalised.

In patients aged over 50, 30 patients had vitamin D levels check. 33 % of patients aged over 50 had vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency. with 23.3% having Vitamin D deficiency. In the patients with Vitamin D deficiency,28.5% of patients aged over 50 had active SLE.

Conclusions

Vitamin D deficiency was associated with a slightly higher incidence of active SLE . Vitamin D deficiency was increased in SLE patients aged over 50 compared to Irish older adult population without SLE. Patients with vitamin D deficiency aged over 50 had a higher incidence of active SLE.