Karaaytu E, Özdemir Ö. Vitamin D and allergic rhinitis: A mini-review. World J Methodol 2026; 16(1): 109252 [DOI: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i1.109252]
Corresponding Author of This Article
Öner Özdemir, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Adnan Menderes Cad, Adapazarı 54100, Sakarya, Türkiye. ozdemir_oner@hotmail.com
Research Domain of This Article
Allergy
Article-Type of This Article
Minireviews
Open-Access Policy of This Article
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World J Methodol. Mar 20, 2026; 16(1): 109252 Published online Mar 20, 2026. doi: 10.5662/wjm.v16.i1.109252
Vitamin D and allergic rhinitis: A mini-review
Esra Karaaytu, Öner Özdemir
Esra Karaaytu, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Adapazarı 54100, Sakarya, Türkiye
Öner Özdemir, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Adapazarı 54100, Sakarya, Türkiye
Author contributions: Karaaytu E and Özdemir Ö have both done everything, read and approved the final version of the manuscript to be published.
Conflict-of-interest statement: All authors declare no conflict of interest in publishing the manuscript.
Corresponding author: Öner Özdemir, MD, Professor, Department of Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, Medical Faculty, Sakarya University, Adnan Menderes Cad, Adapazarı 54100, Sakarya, Türkiye. ozdemir_oner@hotmail.com
Received: May 6, 2025 Revised: June 19, 2025 Accepted: September 12, 2025 Published online: March 20, 2026 Processing time: 281 Days and 15.1 Hours
Abstract
Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly common inflammatory disease mediated by immunoglobulin E in response to environmental allergens, substantially impacting the quality of life and healthcare systems worldwide. Recent research has drawn attention to the role of vitamin D, a corticosteroid hormone with immunomodulatory properties, in influencing the onset and severity of allergic diseases, including AR. Vitamin D exerts regulatory effects and inherent and tailored immunity, including suppressing pro-inflammatory cytokines and enhancing regulatory T cell function. A contrary connection among serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels has been suggested in observational studies of AR prevalence, particularly among children and male adults. However, interventional studies/ research into the therapeutic effects of vitamin D supplementation in AR have yielded mixed results, with benefits possibly dependent upon baseline vitamin D levels, gender, age, and concomitant therapies. Although emerging evidence implies a link between vitamin D shortage and augmented threat or severity of AR, definitive statements regarding its therapeutic role have not been made. Further high-quality randomized controlled trials are required to clarify the immunological mechanisms engaged and establish standardized clinical guidelines. This mini-review underscores the potential of vitamin D as an adjunctive approach in AR and highlights the need for individual strategies tailored to each patient's profile. This mini-review aims to synthesize evidence about the bond between vitamin D levels and AR, exploring epidemiological findings and underlying immunological mechanisms.
Core Tip: Allergic rhinitis (AR) is an increasingly common inflammatory disease mediated by immunoglobulin E in response to environmental allergens, substantially impacting the quality of life and healthcare systems worldwide. Recent research has drawn attention to the role of vitamin D, a corticosteroid hormone with immunomodulatory properties, in influencing the onset and severity of allergic diseases, including AR.
