A Study of Prevalence and Vitamin D Impact in Diabetics

Background: Vitamin D deficiency is epidemic in India despite of plenty of sunshine. vitamin D has a major role on insulin secretion and preventing diabetic related complications. | AIM AND OBJECTIVES: To estimate the preva- lence of vitamin D deficiency and understand the impact in type 2 diabetes mellitus by comparing this with healthy control group. | STUDY DESIGN-Cross sectional, case control observational study. | MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was conducted in 50 patients of diabetic patients who are admitted to the medical wards of Gandhi hospital between May2012 and August 2013. All patients underwent a standard clinical examination and a blood drawn for Glucose, serum vitamin D3 assay. | STATESTICAL ANALYSIS: Z- Test is applied for comparisons of vitamin D and calcium levels in cases and controls. | Chi-square test is applied for comparisons of proportions. P value of < 0.05 is taken as significant. | RESULTS: The cutoff value of Serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D3 used in this study was< 20 ng/ml is taken as deficient. In our study 64%of the diabetic group are vitamin deficient (<20ng/ml) as compared to 36% of the comparison group (p<0.05). Mean vitamin-d3 levels in cases is 19.86ng/ml. mean vitamin-d3 level in controls is 28.35ng/ml, the difference between means of serum vitamin-d3 level of cases and controls is significant. (z=17.4, p<0.05). It shows vitamin D deficiency is statistically significant. | CONCLUSION: Our study shows that vitamin D deficiency is significantly more prevalent in Diabetics as compared to healthy Individuals in spite of plenty of sunshine in India. Diabetics with high HbA1C have higher prevalence of vitamin D deficiency.