الفهرس 
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Abstract
Psoriasis is a common inflammatory skin disorder with variable morphology, distribution, severity and course. It is a chronic autoimmune disease that affects between 1 and 3 % of the global population. Its pathogenesis is not totally clear, but it is a known fact that there is activation of sectors of innate and adaptive immune response.
Although the cause of psoriasis remains unknown, increasing evidence suggests that psoriasis is a complex disorder caused by the interaction of multiple genes, the immune system and environmental factors.
Vitamin D (cholecalciferol and ergocalciferol), as 25(OH)D, acts via the Vitamin D Receptor (VDR) present in many tissues, skin being one, keratinocytes present VDR.
Vitamin D deficiency may be a risk for developing autoimmune disease, including systemic lupus erythematosus, Crohn’s disease, autoimmune thyroid disease, primary biliary cirrhosis and rheumatoid arthritis.
Calcipotriol and tacalcitol and their biological actions, which include regulation of epidermal cell proliferation and differentiation, inhibition of angiogenesis and modulation of cytokines production.
Vitamin D deficiency in patients with psoriasis may be associated with alterations in isoenzymes that affect the synthesis of vitamin D. Some studies have shown differences in vitamin D receptors polymorphisms between patients with psoriasis and the general population, psoriasis is reported to be associated with low levels of vitamin D.
The aim of the current study was to evaluate serum level of vitamin D3 status of psoriasis patients. This case-control study included 30 psoriatic patients (patient group) and 30 apparently healthy subjects served as a control group with matched age and sex. The study was done in the Department of Dermatology and Andrology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni Suef University.
The patients were selected from the Outpatient Clinics of Banha University Hospitals and Benha teaching hospital. Healthy population was recruited from the partners or relatives of patients if not affected by psoriasis, in order to minimize the difference .
For every patient included in the study, the following items were fulfilled: detailed history, general physical examination, complete dermatological examination. Psoriasis-related variables included disease duration and severity according to the Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) and the presence of psoriatic arthritis (PsA). Laboratory investigations included measurement of 25 hydroxy vitamin D3 using commercial ELISA kits.
This study showed that the percentage of females affected by psoriasis was 36.7%. The majority of the patients lived in rural areas (63.3%). There was no correlation between PASI and serum level of vitamin D3. But, there was a significant difference between psoriasis cases and control group regarding serum vitamin D3, where the serum level of vitamin D3 was less than its level in control group.
In conclusion, vitamin D deficiency may be common in psoriasis patients. So, it might be an additional factor in pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. Serum vitamin D levels should be determined in patients with psoriasis and that vitamin D supplementation in those with low serum vitamin D levels will increase the success rate of treatment.
Considering the fact that psoriasis is an inflammatory autoimmune disease and vitamin D has protective role in such diseases, psoriasis patients could be routinely screened for vitamin D insufficiency and oral supplementation with vitamin D might benefit them.