Evaluating Vitamin D Status in Pre- and Postmenopausal Type 2 Diabetics and Its Association with Glucose Homeostasis

Abstract EN

Background.

Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and menopause are associated with vitamin D status.

Oestrogen decline during menopausal stages promotes hypovitaminosis D.

However, the interplay between vitamin D, menopause, lifestyle, and T2DM cannot be overlooked.

This study assessed vitamin D status among pre- and postmenopausal T2DM women and determined its association with glycemic control and influence of lifestyle habits on hypovitaminosis D.

Methods.

This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital, Kumasi, Ghana.

Structured questionnaires were administered to 192 T2DM women; blood samples were collected for estimation of 25(OH) D and insulin using ELISA.

Fasting blood glucose (FBG), lipid profile, glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c), and calcium were measured.

Statistical analyses were performed using Graphpad Prism 6.

Results.

The prevalence of vitamin D inadequacy was 92.2%.

Hypovitaminosis D was more prevalent among the postmenopausal T2DM women (63.8% versus 58.2%).

Hypovitaminosis D significantly associated with insulin [R2=0.01760, p=0.0008], HbA1c [R2=0.3709, p=<0.0001], and FBG [R2=0.3465, p=0.0001] in only the postmenopausal women.

Conclusion.

Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent in pre- and postmenopausal T2DM but higher among postmenopausal women.

Adequate vitamin D levels in both groups were associated with improved glucose control while hypovitaminosis D in the postmenopausal women was related to poorer glucose control.

Vitamin D screening should be incorporated into management plan for T2DM to serve as an early tool for prevention of vitamin D deficiency.