Research Article Details

Article ID: A11550
PMID: 30847862
Source: J Endocrinol Invest
Title: Vitamin D status and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in patients with type 1 diabetes.
Abstract: PURPOSE: In patients with type 1 diabetes (T1D), the prevalence of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) ranges from 10 to 53% and contrasting evidence suggests that vitamin D deficiency may favor liver fat accumulation. Here, we investigated the association between vitamin D status and NAFLD in adults with T1D. METHODS: 220 consecutive adult T1D patients on multiple daily injections or continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion and not taking calcium or vitamin D supplements were included. Patient characteristics, 25(OH)D serum levels, and metabolic parameters were analyzed. Vitamin D status was defined as sufficiency (&#8201;&#8805;&#8201;75&#160;nmol/L; 30&#160;ng/ml), insufficiency (50-75&#160;nmol/L; 20-30&#160;ng/ml), or deficiency (&#8201;<&#8201;50&#160;nmol/L; 20&#160;ng/ml). NAFLD was diagnosed at ultrasound examination and graded 0-3. RESULTS: NAFLD was present in 57 patients (29.5%): 51 grade 1, 5 grade 2, and 1 grade 3. Median 25(OH)D levels were 53&#160;nmol/L (IQR 38-70) in patients with NAFLD and 50&#160;nmol/L (34-69) in patients without (p&#8201;=&#8201;0.46). At multivariable analysis, NAFLD was not associated with 25(OH)D levels (p&#8201;=&#8201;0.42) or vitamin D deficiency (p&#8201;=&#8201;0.55), while BMI (OR 1.16, 95% CI 1.07-1.27) and serum triglycerides (OR 1.02, 95% CI 1.01-1.03) were independently associated with NAFLD. CONCLUSIONS: Vitamin D status appears to have no link with low-grade NAFLD in patients with type 1 diabetes.
DOI: 10.1007/s40618-019-01031-8