Correlation Among Serum Calcidiol, Sun Index, and Vitamin D Intake in Individuals With Seborrheic Keratoses Living in Coastal Area

Abstract

Introduction

Seborrheic keratoses (SK) are benign epidermal tumors with high sun exposure as a major risk factor. Vitamin D deficiency is also thought to play a role in its pathogenesis. There has been no data regarding SK, calcidiol level, vitamin D intake, and sun index (SI) among people living in coastal areas in Indonesia.

Objectives

To assess the correlation between 1) serum calcidiol levels with SI and vitamin D intake and 2) lesion size with SI and serum calcidiol level among SK patients living in a coastal area.

Methods

This is a cross-sectional study. We performed interviews using the sun index questionnaire and semiquantitative food frequency questionnaire for vitamin D; physical examination; dermoscopy to determine the largest SK lesion size; and measurement of serum calcidiol levels in participants with SK living in Cilincing District, North Jakarta. Spearman correlation test was used to assess the relationship between variables.

Results

Thirty-nine participants with SK aged 19–59 years were analyzed. The median of the SK largest diameter, SI, serum calcidiol, and vitamin D intake was 2 (1–10) mm, 3.95 (1.1–23.52), 14.3 (5.25–35.30) ng/ml, and 4.3 (0.1–30.1) mcg/day, respectively. SI and vitamin D intake were not significantly correlated with calcidiol levels. Similarly, SI and calcidiol levels were not significantly correlated with the largest SK lesion size.

Conclusions

We found low calcidiol levels and vitamin D intake in this coastal population. The SI and vitamin D intake had no correlations with calcidiol levels. Furthermore, calcidiol levels and SI had no correlations with the lesion largest diameter.