INTRODUCTION
Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a common, complicated disease that frequently goes with a chronic, relapsing course and results from as-yet incompletely implicit interactions of genes and environment in susceptible types. The prevalence of this disorder is 10% to 20% in children and 1% to 3% in adults.1 AD is the most prevalent occupational skin disease in adults. Childhood AD may have a greater impact on health-related quality of life (QOL) than bronchial asthma, diabetes, enuresis, and cystic fibrosis.2
A recent genome report by Poon et al establishes a correlation between genetic variants of the vitamin D receptor and vulnerability
to asthma and atopy.3 Also reports indicated that vitamin D deficiency has been linked to increased rates of multiple cancers,
autoimmune diseases, infectious diseases, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension.4 In recent years, the vitamin D receptor has been found in a variety of cells, including keratinocytes
and numerous cells of the immune system (e.g., dendritic cells, natural killer cells).5
A number of studies have explained the effects of vitamin D on autoimmune diseases (e.g., multiple sclerosis, diabetes, and inflammatory bowel disease), inflammatory skin diseases (psoriasis),
and malignancies (e.g., prostate, breast, and colon).4 The role of vitamin D in traditional atopic disorders (i.e., asthma, allergic
rhinitis, and AD) are proven. Clinical trials are needed to assess the role of vitamin D in the prevention and treatment of AD patients.4 The aim of this clinical trial study to evaluate the effect
of vitamin D supplementation on patients with AD.
MATERIAL AND METHODS
In this randomized, double-blind, and placebo controlled clinical trial study, a complete of 60 AD cases was chosen by Hanifin and Rajka's criteria from the dermatology outpatient clinic at Rasul Akram Hospital (Iran University of Medical Sciences) in 2010.5
The inclusion criteria were: age 14 and older, with no systemic
diseases, concomitant systemic pyretic or inflammatory processes (other than diabetic mellitus and chronic viral hepatitis).
The exclusion criteria were: pregnancy, concomitant systemic inflammatory disorder (other than diabetes mellitus
and chronic viral hepatitis) and taking vitamin, mineral and fatty acids supplements, oral contraceptive pills, steroid hormones (oral or parenteral), anti-epileptic agents, anticoagulant
drugs, like pregnant or nursing mothers. However, the sufferers could use the prescribed routine treatments of AD, including emollients, topical corticosteroids and oral anti-his-
