Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is thought to be involved in a variety of health conditions, including diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A recent study investigated the association between VDD and DPN in elderly T2DM patients and revealed the potential role of vitamin D in neuropathic complications. This study was published in a journal. Diabetes research and clinical practice According to Sijia Fei et al.
DPN is a common complication of T2DM and is characterized by nerve damage that causes sensory and motor deficits. Although VDD has emerged as a potential risk factor for DPN, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. Understanding the relationship between VDD and DPN may provide insight into new therapeutic strategies to manage neuropathic complications in T2DM.
This study included 257 elderly T2DM patients and utilized propensity score matching to balance demographics and diabetes-related factors. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] Levels were measured to assess VDD, defined as levels below 20 ng/ml. Nerve conduction studies were performed to evaluate both large and small nerve fiber injuries.
The main findings of the study are:
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DPN patients had significantly lower serum 25(OH)D levels compared to non-DPN patients (15.05 vs. 18.4 ng/ml).
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VDD has been identified as an independent risk factor for DPN, with the risk being 2.488 times higher in VDD patients.
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Serum 25(OH)D levels were negatively correlated with specific neuronal latency and positively correlated with neuronal velocity and amplitude.
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VDD patients showed longer sensory and motor latencies compared to patients with adequate vitamin D levels.
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Multivariate logistic regression analysis confirmed the association between VDD and DPN even after adjusting for potential confounders.
This study provides convincing evidence for the association between VDD and DPN in elderly T2DM patients. The results of this study suggest that VDD may contribute to neuropathic complications by affecting large nerve fiber lesions. Identifying and addressing VDD in this population may be important for preventing and managing DPN.
Vitamin D deficiency is independently associated with increased risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in older adults with type 2 diabetes. Further research is needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms and explore potential therapeutic interventions targeting vitamin D deficiency in the management of neuropathic complications in diabetes.
reference:
Fei, S., Fan, J., Cao, J., Chen, H., Wang, X., Pan, Q. (2024). Vitamin D deficiency increases the risk of diabetic peripheral neuropathy in older patients with type 2 diabetes, mainly because it increases thick fiber lesions. Diabetes Research and Clinical Practice, 209(111585), 111585. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.diabres.2024.111585
