Publication:

The impact of vitamin D3 supplementation on glycemic control in type-2 diabetes mellitus at a tertiary care hospital

Background It has been estimated that at least one billion people worldwide have vitamin D3 deficiency. Type 2 diabetes mellitus has consistently been shown to be prevalent in individuals with vitamin D3 deficiency. This study focuses on exploring if there is any association between vitamin D3 deficiency, type 2 diabetes mellitus and glycemic control, by measuring HbA1c levels, after vitamin D3 supplementation.

Methods 77 patients with confirmed type II diabetes mellitus were enrolled during the study. Pre and post treatment (after 3 month) laboratory investigations - FBS, PPBS, HbA1c and serum vitamin D3 levels were done in all the patients. Patients were classified into two groups. Group 1 - vitamin D3 < 30 ng/ml (n=41) and group 2 - vitamin D3 ≥30 ng/ml (n=36). Group 1 was given 60,000 IU of calcitriol sachet weekly for 8 weeks followed by 60,000 IU once a month. No vitamin D3 supplementation was given to group 2.

Results Vitamin D3 supplementation in group 1, has resulted in number of patients with control on HbA1c (< 7%) increased from 8 to 17 (a more than 100% increase). Number of patients with control on FBS (<130 mg/dl) increased from 14 to 23 (64% increase).

Conclusions There is a positive association between vitamin D3 status and glycemic control in type 2 diabetic mellitus patients. Vitamin D3 supplementation in deficient group has resulted in significant reduction in HbA1c level (p<0.001).