Vitamin D Deficiency and Its Association with Metabolic Syndrome in Egyptian Patients with Psoriatic Arthritis

Background: Vitamin D (Vit D) deficiency has been implicated in several autoimmune diseases, including psoriatic arthritis (PsA), and is considered a potential risk factor for metabolic syndrome (MetS).
Objective: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of Vit D deficiency and its association with MetS components in Egyptian patients with PsA.
Patients and methods: In this cross-sectional study, 60 PsA patients were recruited from Tanta University Hospitals and evaluated for MetS according to established criteria. Vit D levels were measured using a CLIA kit, and disease activity was assessed via the disease activity in psoriatic arthritis "DAPSA" score.
Results: Among the 60 patients, 58.3% (35) met the criteria for MetS. Vit D deficiency (<10 ng/ml) was present in 43.3% of patients, with a significantly higher prevalence in the MetS group (54.3%) than in non-MetS patients (28%, p=0.027). Vit D levels showed a strong negative correlation with waist circumference (rs = -0.606, p < 0.001), BMI (rs = -0.552, p = 0.001), and fasting glucose (rs = -0.867, p < 0.001). Logistic regression identified Vit D deficiency as a significant risk factor for MetS (OR = 1.078, 95% CI = 1.016-1.143, p = 0.012).
Conclusion: It could be concluded that Vit D deficiency is prevalent among PsA patients and is significantly associated with MetS risk. Addressing Vit D deficiency may be essential in managing metabolic health in PsA patients.