Research published in Osteoporosis International (2008) found an association between systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and low vitamin D levels. In this cross-sectional study, researchers compared blood levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] in 36 patients with SLE and 26 healthy controls.
The researchers found that vitamin D deficiency was more common among patients with lupus than among the healthy participants. Because this was a cross-sectional study, it cannot determine whether low vitamin D contributes to lupus, results from the disease itself, or is related to other factors such as reduced sun exposure or medication use. However, the findings suggest that monitoring vitamin D status may be worthwhile in people with SLE.
