Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3497

Background and aims: Obesity is one of the most common medical and social issues influencing the onset and progression of type 2 diabetes mellitus, metabolic-associated fatty liver disease, arterial hypertension, polycystic ovary syndrome, obstructive sleep apnea, and certain types of cancer. Currently, the role of vitamin D (VD) in the course of obesity is being investigated, and the influence of VD supplementation on this pathology is being analyzed. Additionally, a correlation has been observed between VD deficiency and thyroid gland and liver function. Our research aimed to study correlation between VD insufficiency/deficiency and insulin resistance in patients with obesity, depending on body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC), and to determine their association with thyroid gland and liver function.

Materials and Methods: Our study included 30 individuals aged 22 to 64 years, including 23 individuals with alimentary-constitutional obesity (BMI 35.3±5.2 kg/m²) and 7 overweight individuals (BMI 27.1±2.3 kg/m²) and no history of prediabetes or diabetes mellitus. HOMA index, vitamin D (25(OH)D), thyrotropin-stimulating hormone (TSH), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) levels were obtained as well as anthropometric parameters, including body weight, height, and waist circumference (WC).

Results: The study results indicated that VD deficiency was more pronounced in patients with obesity. Levels of 25(OH)D, HOMA index, TSH, and ALT achieved statistical significance in obese patients (24.6±13.6 ng/ml; 6.9±4.69; 4.2±3.5 µIU/ml; 47.0±28.1 U/l, respectively) compared to overweight individuals (27.0±7.8 ng/ml; 5.89±4.1; 2.77±1.87 µIU/ml; 43.7±27.7 U/l, respectively). Additionally, WC was significantly higher in obese patients (107±24 cm) compared to the overweight group (82.5±8.5 cm) (P <0.05). Serum 25(OH)D negatively correlated with BMI (r= -0.17, P <0.05), whereas HOMA index positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.31, P <0.05). Serum 25(OH)D negatively correlated with HOMA index (r= -0.19, P <0.05) and with WC (r= -0.11, P <0.05). Serum 25(OH)D negatively correlated with TSH (r= -0.23, P <0.05), as well as ALT negatively correlated with 25(OH)D (r= -0.22, P <0.05).

Conclusion: Our study demonstrates a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in patients with obesity and it is also correlated with thyroid gland and liver dysfunction. The intensity of hypovitaminosis of vitamin D is aggravated with higher levels of HOMA index and higher degrees of obesity. Effective treatment of VD deficiency can improve clinical outcomes of obesity and metabolic disorders associated with it.