Inverse Association Between Vitamin D Status and Diabetes in a Clinic‐Based Sample of Hispanic Adults in Puerto Rico

Abstract

Diabetes has been associated with vitamin D deficiency.Objectiveexamine the association between the vitamin D status and diabetes in a clinic‐based sample of Hispanic adults in Puerto Rico.MethodsDemographics and laboratory test results for serum 25(OH)D, fasting blood glucose (FBG), and hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) were extracted from medical records. Serum 25(OH)D levels were classified as deficient (‹12 ng/ml); inadequate (12‐20 ng/ml); insufficient (21‐29 ng/ml) and optimal (蠅30 ng/ml).ResultsFrom a total of 716 records included, 63.3% were females, mean age was 54.1±14.9 y, mean BMI was 30.1±6.3 kg/m2 and mean serum 25(OH)D levels were 24.3±8.6 ng/ml. Most were classified as diabetics (41.1%). Those with diabetes had lower 25(OH)D levels compared to pre‐diabetic and normal glucose status (p<0.05). Serum 25(OH)D levels were inversely correlated to FBG and HbA1c (p<0.05). After adjusting for age, gender, BMI and seasonality, there was a greater risk of diabetes, but not prediabetes, in those with serum 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/ml. This risk increased from 1.8 times in those with vitamin D insufficiency to 4.2 times in those with vitamin D deficiency (<12 ng/ml).ConclusionDiabetes risk significantly increased as serum 25(OH)D levels decreased in this group of Hispanic adults, underscoring the importance of routinely screening high risk individuals for vitamin D deficiency and offer supplementation to normalize serum levels. Supported in part by 8G12MD007600 from NIMHHD.