Endocrine Abstracts

JOINT3658

Background: Vitamin D, a fat-soluble vitamin, is essential for calcium homeostasis and bone health, but emerging research highlights its broader role in immune function, inflammation, and metabolic regulation. Several studies have reported a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in individuals with type 1 diabetes (T1D).

Objective: The aim of this study was to assess 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels in Tunisian T1D patients, comparing them with those of healthy control subjects.

Methods: We conducted a case-control study including 50 patients with T1D and 50 healthy controls matched for age, sex and body mass index, recruited from the general population. All participants underwent measurement of serum (25(OH)D) levels.

Results: The median age was 26 years [21.00 – 31.75] for the diabetic group and 25 years [22.00 – 30.75] for the control group (P = 0.95). A slight female predominance was observed, with 56% (n= 28) of participants being female in both groups. The mean 25(OH)D level was 11.14±6.49 ng/ml in the diabetic group and 11.67±6.11 ng/ml in the control group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.67). Vitamin D insufficiency, defined by 25(OH)D levels <30 ng/ml, was identified in 98% of diabetic patients and in all control subjects. A confirmed deficiency, characterized by 25(OH)D levels <20ng/ml, was observed in 92% of diabetics and 94% of controls. Severe deficiency, with 25(OH)D levels ≤10 ng/ml, was present in 56% of the diabetic group and 42% of the control group with no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 0.32).

Conclusion: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was particularly high in both groups, highlighting the need for preventive measures such as public awareness campaigns and the promotion of vitamin D fortification of foods.