Association of Vitamin D Deficiency with Disease Activity and Severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients

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Published: 2026-04-15
DOI: https://doi.org/10.61919/m62prq04
Keywords:
Rheumatoid Arthritis, Vitamin D Deficiency, Disease Activity, DAS28, Inflammation, Autoimmunity, CRP, ESR, Anti-CCP, Rheumatoid Factor.

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Nafisa Naseer
Central Park College of Allied Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
Warda Shafique
Minhaj University Lahore, Lahore, Pakistan
Nasiba Mumtaz
University of Management and Technology, Lahore, Pakistan
Mohsina Ali
Bolan university of medical and health sciences, Pakistan
Muhammad Bilal
Lyallpur Institute of Management and Sciences (Affiliated with GC University Faisalabad), Faisalabad, Pakistan
Hanan Azfar
Medline Healthcare, Gujranwala, Pakistan
Tasneem Shahzadi
Riphah International University, Lahore, Pakistan
Sajjad Haider
University of Okara, Okara, Pakistan

Abstract

Background: Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disorder characterized by joint inflammation, systemic complications, and progressive disability. Vitamin D, known for its immunomodulatory effects, has been increasingly studied for its potential role in RA pathogenesis and severity. Objective: To evaluate the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels and disease activity, inflammatory markers, and autoimmune parameters in RA patients. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 150 diagnosed RA patients. Serum vitamin D levels were measured using chemiluminescence immunoassay (CLIA), while rheumatoid factor (RF) and anti-CCP antibodies were assessed using LAT and ELISA. Disease activity was evaluated using DAS28 scores, and inflammatory markers (CRP and ESR) were analyzed. Statistical correlations were determined using Pearson’s correlation test. Results: A high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was observed, with 56.7% of patients classified as deficient. Significant correlations were found between low vitamin D levels and increased RF (r = 0.674), anti-CCP (r = 0.611), CRP (r = 0.676), ESR (r = 0.758), and DAS28 scores (r = -0.649), indicating higher disease activity and inflammation with lower vitamin D levels. Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among RA patients and is significantly associated with increased disease activity, inflammation, and autoimmune responses. These findings suggest that vitamin D may serve as a modifiable factor in RA management, supporting the need for routine screening and supplementation strategies

Article Details

Issue

Vol. 4 No. 7 (2026)

Section

Articles
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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

How to Cite

1.
Nafisa Naseer, Warda Shafique, Nasiba Mumtaz, Mohsina Ali, Muhammad Bilal, Hanan Azfar, et al. Association of Vitamin D Deficiency with Disease Activity and Severity in Rheumatoid Arthritis Patients. JHWCR [Internet]. 2026 Apr. 15 [cited 2026 Apr. 25];4(7):1-9. Available from: https://www.jhwcr.com/index.php/jhwcr/article/view/1528

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