To assess serum Vitamin D3 levels and inflammatory markers (IgE, IL-6) in patients with rhinosinusitis: An observational study

Abstract

Background: Rhinosinusitis or allergic rhinitis (AR) is the primary non-infectious type of rhinitis, marked by symptoms like sneezing, coughing, and flu-like signs. While the exact pathophysiology of AR remains unclear, vitamin D3 insufficiency is increasingly recognized as a potential contributor to allergic disorders due to its role in immunomodulation.
Aim & objectives: To assess serum Vitamin D3 levels and inflammatory markers (IgE, IL-6) in patients with allergic rhinitis and healthy controls among North Indian population group.
Materials and Methods: This observational study involved 200 participants, divided into two groups. The case group included 100 allergic rhinitis patients (aged 18-55), diagnosed through medical history, examination, and lab tests at SGT Hospital's ENT department. The control group comprised 100 healthy volunteers, matched for age and gender. Both groups were briefed on the study, and consent was obtained. A 5 ml blood sample was collected and processed for serum extraction, stored at -20°C. Vitamin D levels were measured using a Competitive ELISA assay, while Interleukin 6 and IgE were analyzed via Sandwich ELISA. The study was conducted at SGT Hospital and the Department of Pharmacology, SGT University, Gurugram, Haryana, India.
Results: The study compares gender distribution and participant numbers across age groups in 200 participants, with Control and Case groups. It also compares Vitamin D, IgE, and IL-6 levels. The Control group has a mean Vitamin D of 25.9 ng/ml, significantly higher than the Case group's 12.5 ng/ml (p = 0.001). IgE levels are 35.9 ng/ml for Control and 270 ng/ml for Case, but the difference is not significant (p = 0.1). IL-6 levels are 7.01 ng/ml for Control and 25.9 ng/ml for Case, showing borderline significance (p = 0.05).
Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency was evident within the case group. Those diagnosed with Allergic Rhinitis exhibited markedly lower mean serum vitamin D levels than their counterparts in the control group. Moreover, upon deeper stratification of the data, the disparity in vitamin D concentrations became even more striking.