INVERSE RELATION OF 25-OH VITAMIN D LEVEL WITH SEVERITY OF DIABETIC RETINOPATHY AND HBA1C IN TYPE 2 DIABETES PATIENTS: SUPPLEMENTATION MAY HALT SEVERITY

Abstract

Objective: Our aim was to analyze the relationship of 25-OH Vitamin D level with severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and HbA1c in Type 2 diabetes patients. Methods: In the present observational study, we enrolled 140 cases of type 2 diabetic patients (98 with DR and 42 without DR). A complete ophthalmological evaluation was done. 25-OH vitamin D levels were compared with the severity of DR and HbA1c levels. The serum concentration of 25-hydroxyl vitamin D was measured by the radioimmunoassay method. Vitamin D deficiency was considered when the 25-hydroxyl vitamin D level was <20 ng/mL. Results: There was no significant difference in age, sex, calcium, parathyroid hormone, and phosphate levels between groups. Sixty-nine out of 98 patients with retinopathy and 15 out of 42 without retinopathy had a 25-hydroxyl vitamin D level <20 ng/mL. DR patients have a higher proportion of subjects with vitamin D deficiency as compared to those without DR (p=0.045). We also found a significant inverse correlation between serum 25- OH vitamin D and severity of DR on ANOVA and HbA1c levels (p<0.001) on Pearson’s correlation. Conclusion: 25-OH vitamin D deficiency is associated with DR and increased HbA1c levels. Vitamin D supplementation with good blood sugar control may decrease the severity of DR in type 2 diabetes. All patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, besides undergoing fundoscopic examinations, must be assessed for their vitamin D status.