Vitamin D levels in type 2 diabetic individuals

37th Congress of IUPS (Birmingham, UK) (2013) Proc 37th IUPS, PCC315

Poster Communications: Vitamin D levels in type 2 diabetic individuals

M. A. Kanpurwala1, K. Afzal2

1. Physiology, University of Karachi, Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan. 2. Dow University of Health Sciences, Karachi, Pakistan.

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Type 2 diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a chronic disease which has an increased risk for hip and vertebral fracture. Diabetic bone is showed to be more fragile than non-diabetic bone [1] and is another possible cause of disability in these patients after a trauma or fall [2]. Diabetes may affect the bone in multiple ways including change in bone mass density especially when there is deficiency of vitamin D which worsens the condition. It has been seen that vitamin D and calcium are required for good skeletal health. Adequate vitamin D levels prevent autoimmune diseases, hypertension, and diabetes and there is reduced risk of cancer and falls or fractures [3]. Many studies have shown some association between impaired glucose mediated insulin release and decrease levels of serum vitamin D [4]. Thus, the present study is conducted to assess the serum Vitamin D levels in T2DM patients. Despite good exposure to sunlight in this part of the world, the vitamin D deficiency has become more prevalent and the basis of risk of diabetes and its related falls and fractures. We conducted a cross sectional study in which 210 T2DM patients who visited the diabetic Out Patient Department of National Institute of Diabetes and Endocrinology were enrolled in the study after an informed consent. Patients with Tuberculosis, Patients with known renal or liver or thyroid diseases were excluded from the study. Demographic profile and anthropometric measurements of these patients were noted and blood sample was collected from each subject to assess glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) levels, serum calcium and Vitamin D levels. It was observed that majority of patients (n=113; 53.8%) had diabetes for 5-10 years, followed by 25.7% in those with less than 5 years , 16.2% in those with 11-15 years whereas only 4.3% had diabetes for more than 15 years. Though the mean vitamin D of the sample was 10.04 +6.65ng/dl, the levels greatly varied across the sample, minimum being 3.99 and the maximum being 48ng/dl. Mean serum calcium was 8.98 +0.64 mg/dl. The mean HbA1c of sample was 8.47 +3.79gm%. Only 0.5% of the total sample have sufficient Vitamin D levels, while 37.1% of sample have insufficient levels of Vitamin D. Majority of the subjects i.e. 62.4% have vitamin D deficiency. This study confirms the association between serum vitamin D levels and diabetes mellitus. This uncovers the fact that diabetics individuals in our population are suffering from significant vitamin D deficiency. It is suggested that future studies should be carried out to address the efficacy of vitamin D supplementation in preventing frequency of falls and fractures in diabetic patients.



Where applicable, experiments conform with Society ethical requirements.

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