Is There Any Association Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Biochemical Evidence of Vitamin D Deficiency?

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a major public health problem, known to be multifactorial in origin. Over the last years, a number of observational studies have suggested an association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and vitamin D deficiency.Objective: To identify any association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and biochemical evidence of vitamin D deficiency in our population.Methods: This study was conducted at outpatient clinic in Karbala throughout the year 2011, with a cross-sectional design. The populations were patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and non-diabetic subjects, who visited the clinic for treatment; all of them had normal renal function. Data collected including characteristics, such as age, sex & body mass index; and the laboratory data such as serum level of calcium, phosphorus, albumin and alkaline phosphatase. Statistical analysis was done by using Chi-Square test and multivariate analysis.Results: A total number of 64 subjects (Age 45-75 years; 67% female); of them, 32 subjects with Type 2 diabetes mellitus, and 32 subjects without diabetes mellitus. The biochemical evidence of vitamin D deficiency was found in 22% (7 out of 32) of diabetic patients, while it was in 25% (8 out of 32) of non-diabetic subjects. So, there was no statistical difference between the two groups. Moreover, among diabetics, there was no effect of vitamin D deficiency on blood sugar control by measuring HbA1C level.Conclusions: The association between type 2 diabetes mellitus and biochemical evidence of vitamin D deficiency cannot be proven statistically in this study.