Assessment of HbA1c and Vitamin D Levels in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in a Tertiary Care Hospital

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is a common health problem characterised by chronically elevated blood glucose along with associated metabolic disorders. New research articles suggest that Vitamin D may impact both the release of insulin as well as how the body reacts to insulin. Objective: To measure HbA1c (a marker for long term blood sugar control) and serum Vitamin D levels in people with T2DM and to explore any relationship between them. Materials and Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study with unmatched controls conducted among 50 individuals with T2DM and 50 individuals without diabetes mellitus in a tertiary care center. Glycaemic control was assessed by HbA1c and Vitamin D status was determined by measuring serum 25-hydroxy Vitamin D [25(OH)D] concentrations using standard techniques. Results: Vitamin D levels in those with diabetes (17.76 ± 5.29 ng/mL) were significantly lower than controls (44.31 ± 11.87 ng/mL, p<0.001). The mean HbA1c values were also higher in the diabetic group (11.43 ± 1.88%) than controls (5.41 ± 0.58%, p<0.001). In the diabetic subjects, 74% were deficient in vitamin D. Diabetic patients also had higher levels of fasting and postprandial glucose, total cholesterol and triglycerides and lower HDL cholesterol (p<0.001). There was a weak negative correlation between Vitamin D and HbA1c (r = -0.186), fasting blood sugar (r = 0.003) and postprandial blood sugar (r = -0.083) but these were not statistically significant. Conclusion: Although the diabetic group had poorer glycaemic profiles and lower Vitamin D, there was no significant association between Vitamin D status and glycaemic control in this study.