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Effect of climate therapy at Gran Canaria on vitamin D production, blood glucose and lipids in patients with psoriasis

  1. A Osmancevic1,*,
  2. LT Nilsen2,
  3. K Landin-Wilhelmsen3,
  4. E Søyland4,
  5. P Abusdal Torjesen5,
  6. TA Hagve6,
  7. MS Nenseter7,
  8. AL Krogstad1,8

Article first published online: 29 APR 2009

DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03245.x

Issue

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology

Volume 23, Issue 10, pages 1133–1140, October 2009

Additional Information

How to Cite

Osmancevic, A., Nilsen, L., Landin-Wilhelmsen, K., Søyland, E., Abusdal Torjesen, P., Hagve, T., Nenseter, M. and Krogstad, A. (2009), Effect of climate therapy at Gran Canaria on vitamin D production, blood glucose and lipids in patients with psoriasis. Journal of the European Academy of Dermatology and Venereology, 23: 1133–1140. doi: 10.1111/j.1468-3083.2009.03245.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    Department of Dermatology, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg, Sweden

  2. 2

    Norwegian Radiation Protection Authority, Østerås, Norway

  3. 3

    Section for Endocrinology, Department of Internal Medicine, Sahlgrenska University Hospital, Sahlgrenska Academy, Göteborg, Sweden

  4. 4

    Section for Climate therapy, Department of Rheumatology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

  5. 5

    Hormone Laboratory, Aker University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

  6. 6

    Department of Clinical Chemistry, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

  7. 7

    Research Institute for Internal Medicine/Lipid Clinic, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

  8. 8

    Section for Climate Therapy, Department of Rheumatology, Rikshospitalet University Hospital, Oslo, Norway

* A Osmancevic. E-mail: amra.osmancevic@vgregion.se

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 10 SEP 2009
  2. Article first published online: 29 APR 2009
  3. Received 25 September 2008; Accepted 3 February 2009

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Keywords:

  • climate therapy;
  • heliotherapy;
  • psoriasis;
  • vitamin D

Abstract

Background  Climate therapy (heliotherapy) of psoriasis is an effective and natural treatment. Ultraviolet radiation (UVB) from the sun improves psoriasis and induces vitamin D3 synthesis.

Objective  The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of climate therapy on vitamin D3 synthesis, blood glucose, lipids and vitamin B12 in psoriasis patients.

Methods  Twenty Caucasian patients (6 women and 14 men; mean age, 47.2 years; range, 24–65) with moderate to severe psoriasis [mean Psoriasis Area and Severity Index (PASI) score 9.8; range, 3.8–18.8] received climate therapy at the Gran Canarias for 3 weeks. Blood samples were drawn before and after 15 days of sun exposure. In addition, the patients’ individual skin UV doses based on UV measurements were estimated.

Results  Sun exposure for 15 days lead to a 72.8% (± 18.0 SD) reduction in the PASI score in psoriasis patients. Although no direct correlation was observed between PASI score improvement and UVB dose, the sun exposure improved the vitamin D, lipid and carbohydrate status of the patients. The serum concentrations of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] increased from 57.2 ± 14.9 nmol/L before therapy to 104.5 ± 15.8 nmol/L (P < 0.0001) after 15 days of sun exposure; the serum levels of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2D] increased from 146.5 ± 42.0 to 182.7 ± 59.1 pmol/L (P = 0.01); the ratio of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol decreased from 2.4 to 1.9 (P < 0.001); and the haemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels decreased from 5.6 ± 1.7% to 5.1 ± 0.3% (P < 0.0001).

Conclusion  Climate therapy with sun exposure had a positive effect on psoriasis, vitamin D production, lipid and carbohydrate status.

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