Effect of vitamin D supplementation on clinical outcome and biochemical profile in South Indian population with vitamin D-deficient chronic urticarial - A randomized double-blind placebo controlled trial.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is a debilitating inflammatory skin disease. Prior studies have shown reduced concentrations of vitamin D in CU and there are limited reports of potential beneficial role for vitamin D supplementation in the treatment of subjects with CU. We assessed the effect of vitamin D supplementation in vitamin D deficient CU patients on the clinical outcome and inflammatory markers in South Indian patients with CU.

An investigation of vitamin D status in alopecia areata.

Alopecia areata (AA) is a type of non-scarring, recurrent patchy loss of hair in hair-bearing areas and is mostly of autoimmune origin. Previous studies have suggested that some autoimmune diseases were found to be associated with vitamin D deficiency. The current study was designed to assess the levels of serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D and C-reactive protein in AA, as compared with controls and to further identify the association between vitamin D levels and disease severity in patients with AA.

Association among stress, hypocortisolism, systemic inflammation, and disease severity in chronic urticaria.

Background: Chronic urticaria (CU) is an immune-mediated disease characterized by wheals for at least 6 weeks. The role of stress and the correlation of stress, hypocortisolism, and inflammatory markers are not well understood.

Objectives: To estimate C-reactive protein (CRP), interleukin (IL)-18, and cortisol levels in patients with CU and to explore their association with disease severity and stress.