Study of vitamin D3 level in patients with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) is primarily measured to identify glycemic control in diabetic patients. According to The American Diabetes Association (ADA), and World Health Organization (WHO), HbA1c concentrations 6.5% or more is diagnostic of diabetes. Vitamin D₃ deficiency has high prevalence all over the India. It has been proposed that mild to moderate vitamin D₃ deficiency is a risk factor for type 2 diabetes and higher plasma vitamin D₃ is related to a lower risk for the development of diabetes mellitus in high-risk patients. Aim and Objectives: The aim was to study the levels of vitamin D₃ and relationship between the levels of vitamin D₃ and HbA1c in diabetic patients. Material and Method: HbA1c and vitamin D₃ were measured in 100 diabetic patients, and another 100 age and sex matched normal healthy individuals. HbA1c was measured by Immunoturbidimetry and vitamin D₃ was measured by Electrochemiluminescence. Results: The mean vitamin D₃ level in diabetic patients (27.19 6.03 nmol/L) was significantly lower than healthy individuals (61.13 10.85 nmol/L) (P 0.001). There was an inverse correlation between the levels of vitamin D₃ and HbA1c (Pearsons correlation coefficient, r = -0.63, P 0.001). Conclusion: Vitamin D₃ levels are deficient in diabetic patients, and there is an inverse correlation between the levels of vitamin D₃ and HbA1c. So, the level of vitamin D₃ is inversely associated with glycemic control in diabetic patients. Therefore, vitamin D₃ supplementation may be helpful in the treatment of Diabetes Mellitus.