Incidence and severity of vitamin d insufficiency among type diabetes patients and the impact of hyperglycemia on serum vitamin d levels: A case control study

Aim: The aim of the present study was to assess the prevalence and severity of vitamin D deficiency in type 2 DM as well as to record the effect of hyperglycaemia on serum vitamin D level. Methods: The present study was conducted in the Department of General Medicine. Total 200 participants were enrolled in the study out of which 100 healthy people were enrolled as case (Group A) and 100 type 2 diabetic patients as controls (Group B). Controls include age and sex matched healthy individuals. Patients younger than 18 years, patients with chronic kidney disease, patients taking calcium supplements or vitamin D supplements within last 3 months, patients suffering from any known chronic illness were excluded from this study. Results: Frequency Distribution of Participants according to Severity of Vitamin D level noted. Prevalence of low vitamin D level in healthy population was only 20% in the study, while prevalence was 80% in Diabetic group. Among diabetic patients having abnormal Vitamin D level, majority (64%) were having insufficiency, only 20% were having overt vitamin D deficiency in Diabetic patients. In patients with controlled diabetes as per HbA1C criteria, the prevalence of sufficient, Insufficient and Deficient Vitamin D was 24%, 60% and 15% respectively, where in patients with uncontrolled diabetes it was 10%, 68% and 22% respectively. More number of diabetic patients with uncontrolled status (22%) was having overt vitamin D deficiency in comparison to controlled status (16%). There was a significant association between the maintenance of euglycemia and severity of Vitamin D level in diabetic patients, as the p value was less than 0.05.Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in diabetic patients as compared to normal healthy population. All patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus must be screened for vitamin D levels and those found to be having insufficiency or deficiency of vitamin D should be started on vitamin D supplements.