A recent study revealed a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and increased severity of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis.
The study was conducted among 104 patients who failed maximum medical management and were scheduled for functional endoscopic sinus surgery. Researchers—who published their findings in the Ear, Nose & Throat Journal—evaluated the relationship between serum vitamin D levels and chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyposis (CRSwNP) severity using a combination of imaging, endoscopic assessments, and patient-reported outcomes.
Patients in the cohort had a mean age of 42.09 ± 13.3 years, and 63.5% were male. The average Sinonasal Outcome Test-22 (SNOT-22) score was 65.49 ± 21.3, reflecting a considerable impact on quality of life. The mean Lund-Mackay (LM) score was 14.48 ± 6.64, and the total nasal polyp score averaged 4.3 ± 2.08.
Of the participants, 49% were vitamin D–deficient, with serum levels below 50 nmol/L. The mean serum vitamin D level was 57.9 ± 31.2 nmol/L. Researchers reported a significant negative correlation between serum vitamin D levels and LM score (r = -0.210; P = .032), as well as the total nasal polyp score (r = -0.264; P = .007).
Despite the correlation with LM and polyp scores, serum vitamin D levels showed no association with SNOT-22 scores, absolute eosinophil counts, or other demographic variables such as age or body mass index.
"We found that low serum vitamin D levels were negatively correlated with the LM score and the total nasal polyp score," wrote first author Nasir A. Magboul, MD, of the Department of Otorhinolaryngology Head, and Neck Surgery, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, and colleagues.
The study highlighted the high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients with CRSwNP, with nearly half falling below the threshold of 50 nmol/L. This observation aligns with previous research suggesting that vitamin D plays a role in modulating type 2 inflammation, which is characteristic of CRSwNP.
The researchers proposed that measuring serum vitamin D levels may serve as an adjunct biomarker for assessing CRSwNP severity, complementing existing tools like endoscopic grading and computed tomography scans. However, they underscored the need for further research to determine whether vitamin D supplementation could reduce disease severity or improve outcomes for patients with CRSwNP.
The findings add to growing evidence that vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in patients with CRSwNP and may contribute to disease severity. The authors emphasized the importance of exploring therapeutic strategies targeting vitamin D levels in this patient population.
No conflict of interests was mentioned in the study.
