Vitamin D and inflammation - predicting biologic response in psoriasis
Research type
Research Study
Full title
Vitamin D status and systemic inflammatory burden as a predictor of biologic treatment response in psoriasis
IRAS ID
315489
Contact name
Kevin McKenna
Contact email
Sponsor organisation
Belfast Health and Social Care Trust
Duration of Study in the UK
0 years, 2 months, 3 days
Research summary
Psoriasis is a chronic inflammatory disorder characterised by red, scaly plaques which can occur anywhere on the skin. Patients with moderate to severe psoriasis may be treated with a biologic medication targeting inflammatory cytokines which are unregulated in patients with psoriasis contributing to disease activity. A subset of patients do not respond to biologic treatment while some patients respond excellently achieving upwards of 90% improvement in their skin. Vitamin D is important in immune function and has been shown to be lower in patients with inflammatory disorders. Patients with psoriasis have been shown to carry a burden not only of cutaneous inflammation but also systemic inflammation which can be demonstrated by blood tests including full blood profile and C-reactive protein (CRP). We hypothesise that patients who do not respond to biologic treatment may be deficient in vitamin D and/or have a higher burden of systemic inflammation. This is a cross-sectional study of serum vitamin D levels and CRP in six groups of patients stratified by percentage improvement in psoriasis and super-response or poor-response to biologics as outlined in the study protocol. All patients attending the Belfast City Hospital biologics nurse specialist clinics will be offered recruitment with 20 patients in each group. No additional invasive procedures will be required for the study but additional blood bottles will be taken as part of routine phlebotomy to test for vitamin D and CRP. Comparison will be completed across groups to evaluate any differences in vitamin D and CRP.
REC name
HSC REC A
REC reference
23/NI/0022
Date of REC Opinion
8 Feb 2023
REC opinion
Favourable Opinion