Publication:

Hypovitaminosis D and effect of vitamin D supplementation in type 2 diabetes mellitus: a rural population based study

Background Deficiency of Vitamin D in general population and its association with various disease conditions have been studied worldwide. Type 2 Diabetes mellitus is increasing at an alarming rate in Indian subcontinent, contributing to increased morbidity and mortality. This study aimed to estimate level of Vitamin D and its association with patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus of rural origin. This study objective was to estimate the Vitamin D level of patients with Type 2 Diabetes mellitus and the effect of Vitamin D supplementation on glycemic statusMethods: This study was conducted at the Department of General medicine for a period of 1 year. Eighty patients with type 2 Diabetes mellitus were recruited in the study and baseline parameters of glycemic control and Vitamin D levels were assessed. Only 36 patients complied with the recommendation and evaluated further.

Results All the patients included in the study had insufficient or deficient levels of Vitamin D. The mean vitamin D levels before and after supplementation were 17.75±6.30 and 29.33±6.34 respectively. The mean plasma HbA1c level before and after supplementation were 7.78 and 7.30 respectively. Patients after vitamin D replacement showed significant improvement in their glycaemic status.

Conclusions Vitamin D supplementation of 2000 IU/day had shown to improve the glycaemic status. The beneficial effect of Vitamin D on diabetes was evident in a short period of supplementation.