Effect of Metformin therapy on the levels of Vitamin D in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Introduction
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus currently affects 10.5% of world’s population. The first drug of choice for the management of Type 2 DM is Metformin. Most common side effects of Metformin therapy is gastro intestinal intolerance which can lead to malabsorption of certain vitamins. There is recent evidence that decrease in vitamin D levels can cause increased insulin resistance. Objective/Aim: To know the effect of metformin therapy on the levels of vitamin D in patients of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus. Methods and Materials The study was designated as a case control study. 30 patients were on Metformin (CASES) and the other 30 were on other anti-diabetic drugs (Sulfonylurea, Acarbose and Pioglitazone ) (CONTROLS) with age and sex matched, fulfilling the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Vitamin D levels were measured by radio-immunoassay method in both groups and the values were assessed.
Results: In this study, the mean vitamin-D levels among the cases were 15.14±4.73 (SD) ng/ml, whereas among the controls was 17.8±7.05 (SD) ng/ml. When we compared the severity of the vitamin D levels in between cases and controls, we found that there is no significant difference between the two groups.
Conclusion: This study suggests that vitamin D deficiency is not a clinical concern among Metformintreated patients with Type 2 Diabetes, as the difference between the two groups was not statistically significant