UVB therapy increases 25(OH) vitamin D syntheses in postmenopausal women with psoriasis.

• Keywords: bone mineral density;psoriasis;secondary hyperparathyroidism;UVB therapy;vitamin D Background: Vitamin D3 is produced in the epidermis by ultraviolet (UV) radiation (290–315 nm) of 7-dehydrocholesterol. A similar range of 290–320 nm (broadband UVB) has been successfully used for years to treat psoriasis. The aim of this study was to investigate whether UVB therapy was able to influence vitamin D synthesis in psoriasis patients. Methods: Twenty-four postmenopausal, white Caucasian women, aged 69±5.9 (mean±SD), with active plaque psoriasis, were treated with broadband UVB two to three times per week for 8–12 weeks. The serum concentrations of calcidiol (25(OH)D3), calcitriol (1,25(OH)2D3), intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), thyroid hormones, osteocalcin, calcium and creatinine were measured before the first and after the last dose of radiation. Bone density was measured using Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (Hologic Delphi A) at the hip and lumbar spine. Results: Serum levels of 25(OH)D3 increased from 36.8±17 ng/ml (mean±SD) to 59.6±18.7 ng/ml (P<0.001) after the UVB treatment period. Serum PTH decreased from 62.8±25.7 ng/l to 48.2±17.4 ng/l (P<0.001). Secondary hyperparathyroidism (PTH>65 ng/l) was revealed in seven patients (29%) in whom PTH values were suppressed by the UVB therapy. The serum levels of calcitriol, calcium, osteocalcin, thyroid hormones and creatinine were unaltered. Conclusion: UVB therapy in elderly psoriatic women improved psoriasis, increased serum 25(OH)D3 synthesis and reduced serum PTH concentrations.

Subject headings

MEDICIN OCH HÄLSOVETENSKAP  -- Klinisk medicin (hsv//swe)

MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES  -- Clinical Medicine (hsv//eng)

Keyword

Aged

Aged

80 and over

Anthropometry

Body Mass Index

Calcifediol

biosynthesis

Female

Humans

Middle Aged

Parathyroid Hormone

metabolism

Phototherapy

Postmenopause

Psoriasis

metabolism

Ultraviolet Rays

Publication and Content Type

ref (subject category)

art (subject category)