Evaluation of Serum Vitamin D Levels in Patients with Vitiligo Undergoing NBUVB (Narrowband UV-B) Therapy

Vitamin D increases the contents of tyrosinase in cultured human melanocytes, which raises its possible role in modulating melanogenesis.
In this study, the level of 25 (OH) D was measured before and after NBUVB therapy and its relationship with outcome of NBUVB therapy in patients with vitiligo was also assessed.
This study was conducted on 30 patients with generalized vitiligo (less than 30% body surface) and 30 healthy individuals without age and gender limitations. The patients received NBUVB therapy 2 times a week for 15 weeks. We measured the serum vitamin D level and involvement area (VASI score, vitiligo area, and severity index) at baseline and 30 sessions post treatment.
The level of vitamin D increased significantly compared to baseline measurements. Vitamin D level changes were not significantly associated with clinical outcome in which VASI score decreased.
Vitamin D did not improve clinical outcomes. Thus, we suggest that further studies be conducted to understand the mechanisms of pigmentation due to NBUVB therapy in vitiligo.