TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND SUBCLINICAL HYPOTHYROIDISM: FOCUSING ON THE ROLE OF CHOLECALCIFEROL

Abstract

Background. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with both type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and thy­roid autoimmune disorders. The association of vitamin D with type DM and subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) has not been investigated. Aim of the study is to explore the putative association between type 2 DM and SH focusing on the role of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D]. Materials and methods. Study population included 65 type 2 DM patients, 35 patients with type 2 DM and SH and 50 healthy controls. To explore the potential as­sociation between 25(OH)D and SH while controlling for potential confounders-namely, age, gender, body mass index, and presence of type 2 DM-multivariate logistic regression analyses were undertaken. Results. Patients with type 2 DM and with type 2 and SH had significantly lower 25(OH)D and higher TSH and TPOAb titres compared to controls. The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/insufficiency was significantly higher in patients with type 2 DM (92.3%), type 2 and SH (97.1%) compared to controls (86.0%). Multivariable logistic regression analyses suggested that type 2 DM and 25(OH)D levels were significantly associated with the presence of SH. Conclusions. In population of patients with type 2 and SH with a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency/in­sufficiency, it was shown that type 2 DM and vitamin D were associated with SH.