Relationship of Vitamin D level with insulin dosage required based on insulin therapy protocol

Abstract

The deficiency of vitamin D amongst Iranian people is high and also is related on hyperglycemia. This study aims to evaluate the association of vitamin D levels with the required dose of insulin prescribed based on an insulin therapy protocol in critical condition patients admitted to intensive care unit (ICU), in an investigation based in Iran. This cross-sectional study was performed on patients who required insulin due to hyperglycemia. The relationship between serum vitamin D level and the required dose of insulin prescribed based on insulin therapy protocol in this group of patients was investigated. A total of 172 patients with a mean age of 46.93 ± 31.9 years were included in this study. Across the included participants, 78.8% of patients had vitamin D deficiency, 11.9% had insufficient vitamin D and 9.3% had normal vitamin D levels. There was a significant difference in mean blood sugar between the vitamin D deficiency group and the normal group. Vitamin D levels were also significantly higher in men than women. Furthermore, the HbA1C hemoglobin level in patients with Vitamin D deficiency was significantly higher compared to the group with normal levels of vitamin D. Our findings suggest that decreased vitamin D is associated with increased blood sugar and insulin requirements in patients admitted to ICU. Women are at a higher risk for vitamin D deficiency. We hope that these findings may help inform relevant treatment strategies.

Keywords

• Vitamin D
• insulin
• hyperglycemia
• intensive care unit (ICU)