Prevalence of Vitamin D Deficiency Between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Non-Diabetics in the Arab Gulf

Abstract

Background

The link between the risk of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and vitamin D deficiency has perplexed the medical society due to the controversy in the data available. Saudi Arabia (SA) is a sunny region; however, ample amount of data reported the increased prevalence of vitamin D deficiency along with T2DM. Thus, this study aimed to compare vitamin D deficiency between healthy and T2DM patients in SA, alongside with the risk factors associated with that.

Methods

A cross-sectional study was conducted in the Medical Unit, Taibah University in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, SA, from November 2017 to May 2018. The involved participants were non-diabetics and T2DM men. Measuring vitamin D for T2DM and non-diabetics group was done by trained technicians. Data analysis was done via SPSS.

Results

Sixty-four participants (T2DM group = 32; non-diabetics group = 32) were recruited, and the mean age of T2DM patients was 48.6 ± 10.4, while that of the non-diabetics was 42.4 ± 6.5. The mean of vitamin D level was found higher in the non-diabetic participants than in diabetic patients. There was statistically significant association between vitamin D deficiency and T2DM (P = 0.001). Besides, duration of diabetes was the only factor, found to be positively correlated with vitamin D deficiency in T2DM patients.

Conclusion

Early screening for vitamin D serum-level is recommended for T2DM patients in Saudi Arabia. Therefore, early correction of vitamin D levels should be considered, and medical and scientific societies, along with other sectors such as the media, should highlight and increase the awareness of the importance of vitamin D and the seriousness of its deficiency.

Keywords:

• T2DM
• vitamin D deficiency
• Saudi Arabia

Data Sharing Statement

The data that support the findings of this study are available from the author “Muhammed Hassan Nasr” upon reasonable request.

Ethical Approval

All procedures performed in this study were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki Declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards. Approval from Universiti Teknologi Mara (UiTM) postgraudate Ethics Committee and from Taibah University Research Committee in Al-Madinah Al-Munawarah, KSA were obtained.

Author Contributions

All authors made a significant contribution to the work reported, whether that is in the conception, study design, execution, acquisition of data, analysis and interpretation, or in all these areas; took part in drafting, revising or critically reviewing the article; gave final approval of the version to be published; have agreed on the journal to which the article has been submitted; and agree to be accountable for all aspects of the work.

Disclosure

The authors report no conflicts of interest for this work and declare that there is no conflict of interest regarding the publication of this paper.

Additional information

Funding

The authors declare that there was no funding for this work.