Abstract
There is very few evidences on the role of vitamin D in the development of diabetic retinopathy. The aim of the current study was to explore whether there is an association of vitamin D status and diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes. Two groups of patients were selected: 139 and 144 patients with and without retinopathy, respectively, as assessed by an experienced ophthalmologist. Subjects with advanced late diabetic complications were excluded to avoid confounding biases. 25-Hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH)D) concentrations and vitamin D deficiency were associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy. Additionally, patients with more advanced stages of retinopathy (grades 2–4) had lower concentrations of 25(OH)D and were more frequently vitamin D deficient as compared with patients not carrying this eye complication. In conclusion, our study confirms the association of vitamin D deficiency with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy in type 2 diabetes. Further experimental and prospective studies on this issue are clearly warranted.
Highlights
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide [1]
Subjects with advanced late diabetic complications were excluded to avoid confounding biases. 25-Hydroxy-vitamin D3 (25(OH)D) concentrations and vitamin D deficiency were associated with the presence of diabetic retinopathy
Our study confirms the association of a higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency and lower concentrations of 25(OH)D with diabetic retinopathy in patients with type 2 diabetes
Summary
Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent worldwide [1]. The serum concentration of 25(OH)D is widely accepted as a good indicator of the status of vitamin D in a given subject. There is a vast array of pleiotropic actions of this vitamin that were already recognized more than two decades ago [2]. This area of investigation led to improved knowledge on the potential role of vitamin D on glucose homeostasis and in the pathogenesis of type 2 diabetes. Multiple studies have previously shown that vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent in type 1 and type 2 diabetes [3]. There is a growing interest on the potential role of vitamin in the development of diabetic micro- and macroangiopathic complications [4, 5]
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