{
  "abstract": "Objectives SLE is a multisystem autoimmune disease. Sun avoidance, recommended to prevent flares, can lead to vitamin D deficiency, which may worsen immune function, disease activity, and bone health. This study aimed to assess vitamin D levels in a cohort of Moroccan lupus patients.Methods We conducted a retrospective study over 15 years (January 2010 to December 2024), including patients with a confirmed diagnosis of SLE at the Internal MedicineDepartment, Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, who had vitamin D levels measured at admission. Patients were categorized into three groups based on vitamin D status: normal (>30 ng/mL), insufficient (20–30 ng/mL), and deficient (<20 ng/mL)Results Seventy two patients had their vitamin D levels measured. The mean age was 34.6 years [15–72] with a marked female predominance. Cutaneous and musculoskeletal involvement were each observed in 75.4% of patients, renal in 36.2%, neurological in 16.9%, and cardiac in 23.9%. Hematologic involvement was found in 73.2%. High inflammation markers were reported in 66.7%. Positive antinuclear antibodies were reported in 88.7%, notably, the median titer was 1:640 and the mode 1:1280, highlighting the generally high antibody levels in this cohort.The mean vitamin D level was 19.85 ng/mL, with 49 patients (68%) deficient, 10 (13%) insufficient, and only 13 (18%) having normal levels. No patient had malabsorption (thyroid and lipid profiles were normal). Among patients with low vitamin D (deficiency or insufficiency), the mean SLEDAI score was 9.94. No correlation was observed between SLEDAI and vitamin D levels (r = –0.14).Comparison with patients in the normal vitamin D group (n = 13) was limited due to the small sample size.Conclusions The immunomodulatory role of vitamin D suggests it may be particularly relevant in these patients, raising the question of whether it should be considered not only as a supplement alongside corticosteroid therapy but potentially as a full-fledged adjunct treatment. Clinical trials may be necessary to evaluate the effects of supraphysiological vitamin D supplementation.",
  "authors": [
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine Department – Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco"
      ],
      "name": "Hajar Joulal"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine Department – Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco"
      ],
      "name": "Jaouad Yousfi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine Department – Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco"
      ],
      "name": "Amal El-Ouakhoumi"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine Department – Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco"
      ],
      "name": "Laila Benjilali"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine Department – Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco"
      ],
      "name": "Mouna Zahlane"
    },
    {
      "affiliations": [
        "Internal Medicine Department – Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco"
      ],
      "name": "Lamiaa Essaadouni"
    }
  ],
  "title": "PO:12:321 Shedding light on vitamin D deficiency in SLE: insights from a Moroccan cohort",
  "uid": "7374eeeb-afca-54e9-a829-426ef963728b"
}