Korean J Ophthalmol.  2013 Jun;27(3):158-161. 10.3341/kjo.2013.27.3.158.

Evaluation of Plasma Vitamin A and E Levels and Tear Film Changes in Patients with Psoriasis Vulgaris

• Demir HD
• Aydin E
• Sezer E
• Yardim H

• KMID: 1798051
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3341/kjo.2013.27.3.158

Abstract

PURPOSE
To evaluate whether alterations in plasma vitamin A and E levels in patients with psoriasis have an effect on tear film changes.
METHODS
Sixty-two eyes of 31 patients with psoriasis vulgaris (Group A) and 74 eyes of 37 age- and gender-matched control subjects (Group B) were included in the study. Ocular and medical histories and dietary habits were obtained from each patient. The tear film break-up time (TBUT), the Schirmer 1 test results and plasma vitamin A and E levels were evaluated.
RESULTS
The mean Schirmer 1 test score was 14.76 +/- 6.12 mm/5 min in Group A and 15.69 +/- 3.10 mm/5 min in Group B. The mean plasma levels of vitamins A and E in Groups A and B were 1.86 +/- 0.62 micromol/L and 1.88 +/- 0.65 micromol/L vs. 26.21 +/- 5.13 micromol/L and 27.19 +/- 8.89 micromol/L, respectively. The Schirmer 1 test results and plasma vitamin A and E levels were not found to be significantly different between the groups (p > 0.05). The mean TBUT was 9.94 +/- 6.18 seconds in Group A and 14.47 +/- 5.65 seconds in Group B, a significant difference (p < 0.05). No correlation existed between plasma vitamin A and E levels, TBUT or the severity and duration of the disease (p > 0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Plasma vitamin A and E levels do not seem to be related to tear film changes in patients with psoriasis vulgaris.

Keyword

Ophthalmological diagnostic techniques; Psoriasis; Vitamin A; Vitamin E

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Adult
Female
Humans
Male
Middle Aged
Mucins/*metabolism
Psoriasis/*metabolism
Tears/*metabolism
Vitamin A/*blood
Vitamin E/*blood
Young Adult
Mucins
Vitamin A
Vitamin E