Effect of Serum Vitamin D Level on Severity of Diabetic Polyneuropathy.

Background: Polyneuropathy is the commonest chronic and disabling complication of diabetes mellitus. Vitamin D insufficiency is common among diabetic patients, however, the link between vitamin D level and the presence of, and the severity of diabetic neuropathy is poorly understood, Objective: This study aimed at clarifying the link between vitamin D level and the diagnosis, and the severity of diabetic neuropathy. Methods: Fifty-eight diabetic patients were included, they were assessed clinically for neuropathy using neuropathy Michigan score, Toronto clinical score system (TCSS) and nerve conduction study of sural nerve, popliteal nerve and ulnar nerve. Control of diabetes was assessed by measuring HbA1c, Vitamin D status was determined by measuring 25-dihydroxyvitamin D. Results: Thirty-eight patients with diabetic polyneuropathy completed the study, compared to 20 control patients with diabetes and no neuropathy. Serum vitamin D level was lower among patient with proven diabetic neuropathy compared to controls (14.97±7.32 and 35.70±8.79 respectively), and was correlated to severity of neuropathy measured by TCSS irrespective to glycemic control, Moreover, vitamin D level correlates directly with the nerve conduction velocity and amplitude in sural nerve, popliteal nerve and ulnar nerve. Conclusion: Vitamin D level was found to correlate to the presence, and severity of neuropathy among diabetic patients, however, further studies are required to confirm if Vitamin D supplementation could prevent or delay the onset of neuropathy in such patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

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