Vitamin D Deficiency in Elderly Saudi Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Introduction: Vitamin D deficiency and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) remain major health problems. We conducted a cross sectional study to investigate the prevalence vitamin D deficiency in elderly patients with T2DM. Method: A cross-sectional single center study was conducted in 1622 patients 60 years or more with T2DM attended the Diabetes Centre at King Fahad Armed Forces Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia between January 2018 and December 2018. The serum concentration of 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25-OHD) and HbA1c were measured. Results: There were 1622 patients with T2DM, 28.3% male and 71.7% female. Vitamin D deficiency was found in 37.6%. Moreover, vitamin D deficiency was significantly more prevalent among females than males (61.6% vs. 38.4% respectively, p<0.0001). In addition, Vitamin D deficient patients were statistically significant younger than non-vitamin D deficient (69.0±7.3 vs. 70.7±8.2 respectively, p<0.0001). Vitamin D deficient patients have statistically significant higher HbA1c than non-vitamin D deficient (8.3±1.9 vs. 7.4 ±1.6 respectively, p<0.0001). The mean 25-OHD was statistically significant lower in the age 60-69 years patients compared to ≥70 years patients (61.6 vs. 65.3 nmol/l respectively, p=0.02). There was higher frequency of vitamin D deficiency found in the age 60-69 years patients compared to ≥70 years patients with males statistically significant most frequent than females in the 60-69 years compared to ≥70 years patients. 25-OHD concentration was significantly correlated with age and HbA1c. Regression analysis of odd ratio of risk factors for patients with vitamin D deficiency showed that female gender, age and HbA1c were statistically significant associated with vitamin D deficiency. Conclusions: The prevalence of vitamin D deficiency in elderly patients with T2DM is high and that more females with T2DM are affected than males.