Investigating the Relationship between Vitamin D Deficiency and Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Ayesha Siddiqa, Farah Hanif
Keywords: 25-hydroxy vitamin D, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin resistance, Glycemic control
ABSTRACT
Introduction: Vitamin D plays a crucial role in diabetes mellitus (DM) management by enhancing insulin secretion and reducing insulin resistance. Understanding the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) patients can help develop screening and intervention protocols for optimal glycemic control.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among patients with T2DM in a local population and assess its association with glycemic control indicators, specifically fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels.
Methods: This case-control study included 180 participants, with 90 diagnosed T2DM patients and 90 non- diabetic controls, aged 30–60 years. Patients with chronic liver disease, heart disease, chronic kidney disease, and protein-losing enteropathy were excluded. After obtaining informed consent, blood samples were analyzed for fasting glucose, HbA1c, and vitamin D levels.
Results: The mean age of participants was 47.3 ± 8.64 years. Among diabetics, 50 (55.5%) were male, and 40 (44.4%) were female, while in the control group, 60 (66.6%) were male and 30 (33.3%) were female. Severe vitamin D deficiency (<10 ng/mL) was observed in 45 (90%) male and 35 (90%) female diabetics. Only 10% of diabetics had normal vitamin D levels (>30 ng/mL). In contrast, vitamin D deficiency was present in only 16.6% of non-diabetic individuals.
Conclusion: A significant inverse relationship exists between vitamin D deficiency and T2DM, with 90% of diabetics exhibiting severe deficiency. Routine screening and correction of vitamin D levels may improve glycemic control and reduce diabetes-related complications.
Keywords: 25-hydroxy vitamin D, Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin resistance, Glycemic control.