| Summary: | Vitamin D is a hormone which belongs to the group of secosteroids, involved in bone metabolism. It contributes to calcium absorption from the gut and regulates bone mineralization. Vitamin D seems to have many extraskeletal actions. It seems to be involved in the regulation of the immune system. It has immunomodulatory action expressed both as immunosuppressive as well as immune-enhancing; action contributing to organism defense against microbial infections. It appears that vitamin D deficiency may be related to the susceptibility of the organism to autoimmune diseases, as it may be related to loss of immune tolerance. Vitamin D exists as a group of molecules; the active hormone thought to be 1,25(OH)2D3. The aim of this study is to measure vitamin D levels in patients with ankylosing spondylitis and psoriatic arthritis and to estimate the relationship between vitamin D levels and disease activity in these diseases. This study will help to define the involvement of vitamin D in skeletal integrity, both by the maintenance of calcium homeostasis and muscle health, as well as its role against the development of autoimmune diseases and the management of pain.
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