Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3623

Background: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is a chronic condition that predisposes individuals to a range of long-term complications, including microvascular complications. Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with various adverse health outcomes, and emerging evidence indicates that it may influence vascular health and microvascular damage in diabetes.

Objective: This study aimed to explore the relationship between 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and microvascular complications in patients with type 1 diabetes.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study, including 50 type 1 diabetic patients. All patients underwent measurement of 25(OH)D levels, and a clinical evaluation for microvascular complications, including a detailed medical history, a thorough physical examination, assessment of the albuminuria-to-creatininuria ratio and a fundus examination.

Results: The median age of the participants was 26 years [21.00 - 31.75], with a sex ratio (F/M) of 1.4. The median duration of diabetes was 13.00 years [9.25 - 17.75]. The average level of 25(OH)D was 11.14 ± 6.49, and 92% of patients had vitamin D deficiency (≤20 ng/ml). Diabetic nephropathy was observed in 24% of patients, while diabetic neuropathy was present in 12% of patients. Diabetic retinopathy was noted in 24% of cases. It was classified as non-proliferative mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative in 33%, 9%, 25% and 33% of patients, respectively. The median 25(OH)D level was lower in patients with diabetic nephropathy compared to those without, although the difference was not statistically significant (8.3 ng/ml [6.87–10.78] versus 9.02 ng/ml [7.78–14.39]; P = 0.42). Similarly, the 25(OH)D level was lower in patients with diabetic neuropathy (n= 6) compared to those without, but the difference was not statistically significant (8.44 ng/ml [4.68–13.52] versus 9.16 ng/ml [7.57–14.34]; P = 0.29). The median 25(OH)D level in patients with mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative retinopathy was 12.07 ng/ml [9.67 – 15.95], 14.31 ng/ml [14.31 – 14.31], 4.51 ng/ml [2.40 – 4.81], and 6.38ng/ml [2.71 – 15.51], respectively. Severe retinopathy and proliferative retinopathy were significantly associated with lower 25(OH)D levels (P = 0.05).

Conclusion: Our findings suggest a potential link between vitamin D deficiency and the progression of diabetic retinopathy, though further research is necessary to establish causality and the benefit of vitamin D supplementation in preventing or managing microvascular complications in type 1 diabetes.