Abstract
BackgroundRecently, studies suggesting that vitamin D deficiency correlates with the severity and frequency of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of developing T1DM have been reported.ObjectiveIn this study, we aimed to assess vitamin D status in Egyptian children and adolescents with T1DM.MethodsThis was a case–control study including 80 T1DM diagnosed cases aged 6 to 16 years and 40 healthy children with comparable age and gender as the control group. For all subjects, serum 25 (OH) D levels were measured by ELISA, Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and serum insulin were measured by an electrochemiluminesce immunoassay. Serum glucose, Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were also assessed.ResultsCompared to the control group, serum vitamin D levels were not significantly lower in diabetic subjects (24.7 ± 5.6 vs 26.5 ± 4.8 ng/ml; P > 0.05). Among diabetic cases 44(55%) were vitamin D deficient; meanwhile 36(45%) cases had normal vitamin D level (P < 0.01). In addition, 26(32.5%) diabetic cases had 2ry hyperparathyroidism and 54(67.5%) cases had normal parathyroid hormone level; meanwhile, none of the control group had 2ry hyperparathyroidism (P < 0.01). Furthermore, we found a significant difference between vitamin D deficient diabetic cases and those with normal vitamin D level as regards HOMA-IR and diabetes duration (P < 0.01).ConclusionPublic health message on the importance of vitamin D status; especially in diabetic children and adolescents, should be disseminated to the public.
Highlights
Studies suggesting that vitamin D deficiency correlates with the severity and frequency of Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of developing Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (T1DM) have been reported
There was no significant difference between diabetic cases and control group as regards age, gender, or Body Mass Index (BMI) (P > 0.05), respectively (Table 1)
Our data showed that 44(55%) diabetic cases were vitamin D deficient; 36(45%) cases had normal vitamin D level
Summary
Studies suggesting that vitamin D deficiency correlates with the severity and frequency of Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and that vitamin D supplementation reduces the risk of developing T1DM have been reported. Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an auto immune disease that results in the destruction of beta cells in the pancreas as a result of interactions between different susceptibility genes and environmental exposures [1]. Recent studies suggest that vitamin D deficiency may increase the risk of developing autoimmune diseases. At the level of the pancreatic islets, 1,25(OH)2D3 decreased in vivo and in vitro proinflammatory chemokine and cytokine expression (e.g., IL6), which are implicated in the pathogenesis of T1DM making β-cells less chemoattractive and less prone to inflammation; this results in decreased T cell recruitment and infiltration, increased regulatory cells, and arrest of the autoimmune process [8].
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