ROLE OF VITAMIN D IN THERAPY OF ALLERGIC RHINITIS PATIENTS-A CROSS SECTIONAL STUDY

Abstract

Background: Severe allergic rhinitis has been associated with significant impairments in quality of life, sleep, and work performance. Recent evidence suggests that serum vitamin D3 has significantly correlated with the severity of allergic rhinitis (AR). Aim: The objective of the study was to evaluate whether vitamin D supplementation has any role to reduce the severity of disease spectrum among allergic rhinitis patients. Material & Methods: This prospective observational study was carried out in the department of otorhinolaryngology in a tertiary care hospital. 120 subjects with allergic rhinitis were evaluated for serum vitamin D levels. Pre-treatment total nasal symptom score (TNSS) were recorded for these patients. One group received anti-allergic while another group received vitamin D supplementation along with anti-allergic treatment. Post treatment TNSS scores and AR severity were calculated and analysed. Results: Majority of the patients (35%) were 31-40 years age group, predominantly female (55.8%). Most of them (51.7%) were vitamin D deficiency (<20 ng/dl). The vitamin D deficiency was more pronounced in the patients having severe allergic rhinitis with TNSS > 11 were having mean vitamin D level 17.2 ng/ml. TNSS were significantly improved after successful vitamin D supplementation among allergic rhinitis patients (p<0.05). Conclusion: patients with allergic rhinitis might be more vulnerable to have lower serum levels of vitamin D. Thus, significant reduction in the allergy symptom scores after vitamin D supplementation which alters the course of disease towards clinical improvement.