Vitamin D Insufficiency Prevalent among Psoriatic Arthritis Patients

A new research reports a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency among patients with psoriatic arthritis.

According to a new study with findings published in Arthritis Care & Research, a journal of the American College of Rheumatology (ACR),  a high prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency and deficiency exists among patients with psoriatic arthritis.

Psoriasis is a common chronic skin disorder, likely caused by an autoimmune response, and is characterized by red scaly patches on the surface of the skin. When accompanied by inflammatory arthritis the condition is known as psoriatic arthritis (PsA)—a disease gaining public attention with the recent diagnosis of professional golfer, Phil Mickelson. Studies suggest that psoriasis occurs in up to 3% of the world population and roughly one third of these patients have PsA with prevalence estimates ranging from 6% to 42%.