Vitamin D and psoriasis: an update for dermatologists and nutritionists.

Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy - mat24@libero.it. Section of Dermatology, Department of Clinical Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. Unit of Endocrinology, Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Naples Federico II, Naples, Italy. Department of Health Sciences, University Magna Græcia of Catanzaro, Catanzaro, Italy. Department of Medicine and Health Sciences Vincenzo Tiberio, University of Molise, Campobasso, Italy.

Minerva endocrinologica. 2020;(2):138-147
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Abstract

Psoriasis is a common chronic immune-mediated inflammatory skin disease, now considered a systemic inflammatory process with several comorbidities. The skin produces vitamin D by the action of ultraviolet light. Vitamin D performs various immunomodulatory, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and antifibrotic actions. The immunomodulatory effects of vitamin D offer opportunities to improve the treatment of several autoimmune diseases, such as psoriasis. In the literature, several significant associations are reported between low levels of vitamin D and psoriasis. Today, topical vitamin D represents an important therapeutic option due to its action on the proliferation and maturation of keratinocytes. The situation is different regarding the oral intake and integration of vitamin D in psoriasis patients. The use of vitamin D supplementation as an adjunctive treatment option in these patients is still discussed. This work aims to analyze the association between psoriasis and vitamin D levels according to dermatologists and nutritionists.

Methodological quality

Publication Type : Review

Metadata

MeSH terms : Psoriasis ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins