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Vitamin D levels and mortality in type 2 diabetes
Christel Joergensen1, Mari-Anne Gall, Anne Schmedes
1Steno Diabetes Center, Gentofte, Denmark. cijq@steno.dk
Diabetes Care
|July 8, 2010
Summary
Severe vitamin D deficiency in type 2 diabetes patients predicts higher risks of all-cause and cardiovascular mortality. This association remained significant even after adjusting for other health factors.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Cardiology
Background:
- Vitamin D deficiency is common in patients with type 2 diabetes.
- The role of vitamin D in cardiovascular health and kidney disease progression is under investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess vitamin D as a predictor of mortality and kidney function decline in type 2 diabetes.
- To determine if vitamin D deficiency is linked to adverse outcomes in this population.
Main Methods:
- A longitudinal observational study followed 289 type 2 diabetic patients for a median of 15 years.
- Plasma 25-hydroxyvitamin D(3) levels were measured at baseline.
- Severe vitamin D deficiency was defined as the lowest 10th percentile (<13.9 nmol/l).
Main Results:
- Severe vitamin D deficiency was associated with a nearly twofold increased risk of all-cause mortality (adjusted HR 2.03).
- A similar increased risk was observed for cardiovascular mortality (adjusted HR 1.90).
- Severe vitamin D deficiency did not predict progression to micro- or macroalbuminuria.
Conclusions:
- Severe vitamin D deficiency is an independent predictor of increased all-cause and cardiovascular mortality in type 2 diabetes.
- Further research is needed to determine if vitamin D supplementation can improve patient outcomes.
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