Vitamin D deficiency may be associated with allergies in sub-Saharan Africa - 13/07/24
Highlights |
• | Vitamin D is essential for the proper functioning of the human organism. |
• | Vitamin D is involved in the immune system function. |
• | Low serum vitamin D level is linked to the risk of allergies in children and adolescents. |
• | Few studies have looked at vitamin D deficiency and the increase in allergies in sub-Saharan Africa. |
• | This study shows a strong association between low serum vitamin D level and allergies in subjects from sub-Saharan Africa. |
• | The development of allergies in sub-Saharan Africa may be linked to vitamin D insufficiency. |
Abstract |
Background |
Though the consensus is that vitamin D deficiency is associated with allergies, virtually no study investigates this association in a sub-Saharan African setting.
Methods |
To investigate the association between vitamin D deficiency and allergies in this setting, we recruited 42 allergic patients (60% adults vs. 40% children) and 20 controls (45% adults vs. 55% children). Allergies were confirmed in symptomatic patients by measuring circulating allergens-specific IgE antibodies (Proteome Tech kits), whereas blood concentration of vitamin D was measured using the total 25-hydroxyvitamin D kit (BioMérieux).
Results |
88% (37/42) of allergic patients had low vitamin D. Only 25% of (5/20) non-allergic controls had low serum vitamin D levels. Vitamin D insufficiency was significantly higher in allergic patients than non-allergic controls (odds ratio = 22.2; relative risk: 3.5; χ2 = 24.7; P < 0.0001). Low vitamin D serum concentration prevalence was similar in both children and adult patients (87% (13/15) vs. 85.2% (23/27) respectively). In children (odds ratio: 26; relative risk: 4.3; χ2 = 11.1; p-value < 0.001), like in adults (odds ratio: 72; relative risk: 3.8; χ2 = 20.7; P < 0.0001), low serum vitamin D level was significantly associated to allergies.
Conclusion |
A strong association was found between low serum vitamin D level and allergies, suggesting that vitamin D deficiency may be linked to allergy development in sub-Saharan African settings. More extensive studies need to be done to confirm our findings.
Key message |
The development of allergies in sub-Saharan Africa may be linked to vitamin D insufficiency.
Le texte complet de cet article est disponible en PDF.Keywords : Vitamin D, Allergies, African
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