Psoriasis: Are Your Patients D-pleted? A Brief Literature Review on Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Role in Psoriasis.

OBJECTIVE

The use of topical vitamin D in the management of patients with psoriasis has been studied extensively over the past several years. However, research regarding oral vitamin D supplementation as a potential treatment option in this patient population is lacking. The objective of this literature search was to examine if oral vitamin D is a viable option in the treatment of psoriasis and prevention of psoriasis related comorbidities.

METHODS OF LITERATURE SEARCH: PubMed was searched using the following search terms: vitamin D, psoriasis, magnesium, vitamin K2, and metabolic syndrome.

RESULTS

Collected data from analyzed studies indicated that patients with psoriasis had significantly lower levels of serum vitamin D compared to patients without psoriasis, and that patients with psoriasis who were treated with oral vitamin D achieved greater clinical improvement compared to those who did not receive oral vitamin D therapy. More importantly, data indicated that two key nutrients-vitamin K2 and magnesium-work synergistically with vitamin D, increasing its absorption.

LIMITATIONS: The studies did not discuss the optimal dosing of vitamin D or what serum levels were needed to achieve clinical improvement. Moreover, the biochemistry can vary per individual, which may yield conflicting results.

CONCLUSION

There is insufficient conclusive evidence regarding oral vitamin D as a potential treatment modality in psoriasis; however, current studies have shown promising results. Larger randomized, clinical trials are needed to assess if oral vitamin D is effective in the management of psoriasis and to provide guidance on optimal dosing. Research has indicated that magnesium and vitamin K2 enhance absorption of vitamin D and decrease the risk of coronary artery calcium deposition.