Background and study aim Concomitant hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and psoriasis vulgaris (PV) are not uncommon coexisting diseases, especially in areas with high viral hepatitis endemicity. To date, data about the interaction between both diseases are scarce. Therefore, we aimed to describe the possible interplay between the HCV viral load and psoriatic activity in concomitant Egyptian diseased patients. Patients and methods Between December 2011 and August 2013, all psoriatic patients attending Assiut University Hospital outpatient clinics were tested for HCV serologic assay. Patients with positively coexisting diseases were further reevaluated for psoriasis area severity index (PASI) score assessment, liver function tests, HCV-RNA-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assays, and sonographic examination of the liver. For comparative purposes, another matched group (n = 26) with psoriasis only (HCV-negative group) was enrolled as a control. Results During the period of the study, 20 patients with concomitant PV and HCV infection (HCV-positive group; 50% males, mean age of 44.15 ± 10.66 years) were recruited. The mean PASI score was 44.75 ± 10.38 and clinical signs of liver dysfunction were observed in 40% (n = 8), 100% had abnormal liver function tests (n = 20), and 75% had sonographic findings of cirrhosis (n = 15). The PASI score was significantly higher in the HCV-positive psoriatic group compared to the HCV-negative control (p 0.001). Significant correlations were detected between the PASI score and the viral loads, and also with alanine aminotransferase (ALT). Conclusion When HCV was found concomitantly with PV, a high possibility of severe disease pattern will be expected that entails special precautions in the treatment process.

Background: Low vitamin D status has been associated with vitiligo. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has improved vitamin D balance in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; however, few data are available on such effect in vitiligo and the relationship of vitamin D levels with disease severity and repigmentation. Objective: To investigate the influence of NB-UVB phototherapy on vitamin D status in vitiligo patients. Patients and methods: The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were assessed in 28 vitiligo patients before and after exposure to 24 sessions of NB-UVB treatment. Baseline vitamin D levels of patients were compared with those of 20 age and sex-matched healthy participants. Clinical response was evaluated using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) scoring system. Results: Insufficient vitamin D levels (75 nmol/l) were found in 78.6% of vitiligo patients, compared with 15% of controls. The mean serum vitamin D value was significantly lower than that in controls (P0.001). After phototherapy, a significant increase in vitamin D was observed (P0.001). The increase in vitamin D was negatively correlated with baseline vitamin D levels. However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. Conclusion: NB-UVB therapy improves low vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients, which may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Low vitamin D status has been associated with vitiligo. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has improved vitamin D balance in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; however, few data are available on such effect in vitiligo and the relationship of vitamin D levels with disease severity and repigmentation. Objective: To investigate the influence of NB-UVB phototherapy on vitamin D status in vitiligo patients. Patients and methods: The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were assessed in 28 vitiligo patients before and after exposure to 24 sessions of NB-UVB treatment. Baseline vitamin D levels of patients were compared with those of 20 age and sex-matched healthy participants. Clinical response was evaluated using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) scoring system. Results: Insufficient vitamin D levels (75 nmol/l) were found in 78.6% of vitiligo patients, compared with 15% of controls. The mean serum vitamin D value was significantly lower than that in controls (P0.001). After phototherapy, a significant increase in vitamin D was observed (P0.001). The increase in vitamin D was negatively correlated with baseline vitamin D levels. However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. Conclusion: NB-UVB therapy improves low vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients, which may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Low vitamin D status has been associated with vitiligo. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has improved vitamin D balance in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; however, few data are available on such effect in vitiligo and the relationship of vitamin D levels with disease severity and repigmentation. Objective: To investigate the influence of NB-UVB phototherapy on vitamin D status in vitiligo patients. Patients and methods: The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were assessed in 28 vitiligo patients before and after exposure to 24 sessions of NB-UVB treatment. Baseline vitamin D levels of patients were compared with those of 20 age and sex-matched healthy participants. Clinical response was evaluated using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) scoring system. Results: Insufficient vitamin D levels (75 nmol/l) were found in 78.6% of vitiligo patients, compared with 15% of controls. The mean serum vitamin D value was significantly lower than that in controls (P0.001). After phototherapy, a significant increase in vitamin D was observed (P0.001). The increase in vitamin D was negatively correlated with baseline vitamin D levels. However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. Conclusion: NB-UVB therapy improves low vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients, which may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy.

Background: Low vitamin D status has been associated with vitiligo. Narrowband ultraviolet B (NB-UVB) therapy has improved vitamin D balance in psoriasis and atopic dermatitis; however, few data are available on such effect in vitiligo and the relationship of vitamin D levels with disease severity and repigmentation. Objective: To investigate the influence of NB-UVB phototherapy on vitamin D status in vitiligo patients. Patients and methods: The serum levels of 25-hydroxyvitamin D were assessed in 28 vitiligo patients before and after exposure to 24 sessions of NB-UVB treatment. Baseline vitamin D levels of patients were compared with those of 20 age and sex-matched healthy participants. Clinical response was evaluated using the vitiligo area scoring index (VASI) scoring system. Results: Insufficient vitamin D levels (75 nmol/l) were found in 78.6% of vitiligo patients, compared with 15% of controls. The mean serum vitamin D value was significantly lower than that in controls (P0.001). After phototherapy, a significant increase in vitamin D was observed (P0.001). The increase in vitamin D was negatively correlated with baseline vitamin D levels. However, there was no significant correlation between vitamin D levels and vitiligo area severity index (VASI) score. Conclusion: NB-UVB therapy improves low vitamin D levels in vitiligo patients, which may contribute to its therapeutic efficacy.

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