Effect of vitamin D supplementation on symptom severity and IgE in patients of perennial allergic rhinitis in north India.

Background Vitamin D seems to regulate immune system and has an important role to play by interfering in pathophysiology of allergic rhinitis. This study was done to assess the level of Vitamin D in non-AR and AR patients and to find a correlation between TNSS, IgE and vitamin D before and after supplementation and the effect of maintenance of this supplementation over a period of time.MATERIAL & Methods 80 patients of age group 10 to 60 years were included. 20 non-AR patients were tested for vitamin D levels. 60 patients with perennial allergic rhinitis were divided equally into three groups: Group A received topical fluticasone furoate twice with a placebo for the whole period, Group B received nasal steroid along with weekly 60,000 IU Vitamin D for 6 weeks and then 60,000 IU monthly maintenance dose for next 4 months along with nasal steroid spray. Group C received steroid and vitamin D first two months and only nasal steroid for next 4 months.Results In Non- AR patients, 30% patients had deficient, 35% had insufficient and 35% had normal vitamin D level. In AR patients, 31.67% had deficient, 50% had Insufficient and 18.33% had normal vitamin D levels. Our study showed that serum IgE levels/TNSS improve soon after the treatment (Steroids alone or steroid along with vitamin D). But these levels are sustained only if vitamin D supplementation is maintained over time. On discontinuing the supplementation, IgE levels/TNSS start to rise again.Discussion AR has a multifactorial pathogenesis relating with TNSS, vitamin D levels and total IgE which should be dealt accordingly. Vitamin D is a potential therapeutic agent in allergic rhinitis to reduce the severity of disease.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022