Background and Objective: The aim of this study was to compare dietary intake of vitamin D and the serum levels of 25(OH) D3 in multiple sclerosis (MS) patients with those of normal subjects.
Material and Methods: Patients (31women and 6 men) were recruited from the MS Clinic of Jundi-Shapur University, Ahvaz, Iran. The control group consisted of 37 healthy age/gender- and physical activity-matched subjects living within a similar catchments area. Information on sunshine exposure and the consumption of vitamin D–rich foods was obtained through interviews and a food frequency questionnaire.
Results: Severe vitamin D deficiency was seen in over one-third of both groups (33% of the patients and 37% of the controls). There was no significant difference in the serum level of 25(OH) D3 between the 2 groups. The serum concentration of 25(OH) D3 in those individuals of the healthy group who had a lower daily sunshine exposure (<30 min) was lower than that of those with a higher exposure (>30 min/d) (p<005). Duration of sunshine exposure did not significantly affect the serum 25 (OH) D3 concentration in the patients. The data also showed that the serum vitamin D levels had no statistically significant association with the consumption of fish, butter, cream, or eggs in either group.
Conclusion: Severe vitamin D deficiency was seen in more than one-third of both the MS patients and healthy subjects. There was no association between the duration of sunshine exposure and dietary intake of vitamin D in the patients. However, in the healthy subjects higher sunshine exposure was associated with higher serum levels of vitamin D.