Hypovitaminosis D Showed Gender and Seasonal Variations in Saudi Patients with Multiple Sclerosis

Background: Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic, inflammatory, autoimmune, demyelinating disease affecting the central nervous system. Vitamin D is an immunomodulating factor with potentiality to prevent and treat MS.

Objectives: To estimate serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OH-D) in MS patients and to evaluate its seasonal variation and gender dependence.

Patients and Methods: All patients underwent evaluation by using the Neurological Rating Scale (NRS), Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS). All patients had radiological work-up and gave two blood samples, one at winter and the second at summer for estimation of serum 25-OH-D levels.

Results: The study included 82 patients. Wintertime serum 25-OH-D levels were significantly lower compared to summertime levels in both sexes with negative significant correlation with age and home stay duration, but showed positive significant correlation with being employed. The duration of home stay was a sensitive predictor for low wintertime serum 25-OH-D levels in both males and females, while age and being unemployed in males and being Saudi and unemployed in females were specific predictors for low wintertime serum 25-OH-D levels. The female, age and long duration of home stay were significant predictors for low wintertime serum 25-OH-D levels. Wintertime serum 25-OH-D showed positive significant correlation with both NRS scorings in both males and females, while showed negative significant correlation with EDSS scorings in both sexes. Conclusion: Serum vitamin D levels showed seasonal and gender dependence. Also, it could predict MS progression manifested by activity and disability scoring.