Evaluation of vitamin D level in Sudanese diabetic patients at Shendi locality, Sudan

Abstract

Vitamin D is a steroid pro-hormone that enhances bone calcification and reduces the risk of cancer, especially of colon, prostate and breast. It is also considered as the environment and genetic riskmodulating factor for diabetes especially in young people and in those living in high altitude near earth poles. This study was conducted at Shendi Locality, Sudan; from April to August 2018, to evaluate the level of vitamin D among diabetic patients. Sixty males and females were enrolled in the study. Forty were diabetics as cases and 20 healthy non-diabetics as a control group. Findings showed a significant decrease in mean vitamin D levels in diabetic patients compared to the control group, 73.4 ± 22.9 and 19.9 ± 9.7nmol/L respectively. A positive impact of sun light exposure on vitamin D level (P = 0.001) and the negative effect of age and duration of the disease, P = 0.001 and 0.030 respectively, were found. In conclusion, vitamin D level is decreased in diabetic patients, with significant variation between vitamin D level with age, duration of the disease and sun light exposure, and insignificant variation with hypertension and glycemic status of diabetic patients.