Vitamin D status and the CYP24A1 gene may have a combined role in the transition to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in individuals at increased genetic risk for SLE, according to a recent study. Researchers evaluated 436 individuals who reported having a relative with SLE but who did not have SLE themselves, examining them at baseline and again an average of 6.3 (±3.9) years later; 56 individuals transitioned to SLE. Researchers found:

• Mean baseline 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) levels and vitamin D supplementation were not different between those who did and did not transition to SLE.

• Vitamin D deficiency was greater in those who transitioned compared with those who did not transition to SLE (46% vs 33%).

• Vitamin D deficiency significantly increased the risk of transitioning to SLE in those with 2 minor alleles at rs4809959.

Citation: Young KA, Munroe ME, Guthridge JM, et al. Combined role of vitamin D status and CYP24A1 in the transition to systemic lupus erythematosus. [Published online ahead of print June 9, 2016]. Ann Rheum Dis. doi:10.1136/annrheumdis-2016-209157.