Impact of vitamin D level on glycemic control in diabetes mellitus type 2 in Duhok

BACKGROUND: Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in most parts of the world. Its insufficiency or deficiency is implicated in bone diseases, some cancers, infectious diseases, heart disease, autoimmune and metabolic diseases including type 2 diabetes mellitus. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 49.94 ± 9.36, while the mean age the controls was 48.95 ± 10.56. Females constituted 56.1% and males 43.9% in the cases group, while for the control group females were 54.8% and males were 43.9%. Low vitamin D levels were detected in 110 (71%) of cases and 63 (40.6%) of controls. There was a significant difference in vitamin D levels among cases and controls (p < 0.001), vitamin D level was lower among females compared to males, p < 0.001 and those living in urban areas compared to rural areas, p < 0.001, BMI and dyslipidemia had a significant effect on vitamin D levels among diabetics, p values 0.002 and < 0.001 respectively. The serum 25(OH)-D level was significantly lower in patients with poor glycemic control compared to those with good glycemic control and in patients with a diabetes duration greater than 5 years, p values < 0.001 and 0.002 respectively. No significant correlation was detected with age and smoking, p values 0.181 and 0.260 respectively. CONCLUSION: There is a high prevalence of hypo-vitaminosis D among patients with type-2 diabetes, particularly among patients with poor glycemic control and in those with longer diabetes durations. Vitamin-D deficiency is more prevalence in females, and those living in urban areas, those with obesity and patients with dyslipidemia.