The Association Between 25-hydroxy Vitamin D Deficiency and Diabetic Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Aims: To evaluation the relationship between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D [25-(OH)D] deficiency and diabetic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM).

Methods: One hundred and sixty three patients with T2DM [DM + uncomplicated (n = 36), DM + nephropathy (n = 31), DM + neuropathy (n = 30), DM + retinopathy (n = 30), DM + cardiovascular disease (CAD) (n = 36)], 35 CAD and 40 healthy volunteers were included.

Results: Serum 25-(OH)D levels were found as significantly lower in all patients compared to the control group (p < 0.05). 25-(OH)D in patients with DM + retinopathy (p < 0.006), DM + nephropathy (p < 0.001) and DM + neuropathy (p < 0.001) was significantly lower than that of the control group. 25-(OH)D in patients with DM + nephropathy (p < 0.001), DM + neuropathy (p < 0.01) and DM + retinopathy (p < 0.001) was significantly lower than in the DM + uncomplicated group. 25-(OH)D levels were found as significantly lower in DM + CAD compared to the CAD group (p < 0.01). Serum 25-(OH)D and HbA1c and parathyroid hormone (PTH) were found to be negatively correlated with each other in DM + all complications.

Conclusions: Low serum 25-OHD levels were found to be associated with the development of diabetes and complications. Low serum 25-OHD levels may be a consequence of even worse metabolic control of diabetes.