Vitamin D Deficiency Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Macroalbuminuria in Chinese Patients with Type 2 Diabetes

Abstract

This research examines the correlation between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels and albuminuria. A total of 203 hospitalized patients diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were selected from February to October 2023 and categorized into groups according to their urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio (UACR). Spearman correlation analysis and multiple regression analysis were used to assess the relationship between 25(OH)D and UACR. Among the 203 T2DM patients included, the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency was 59.1%. The 25(OH)D levels in the macroalbuminuria group 9.37 ng/mL (5.98, 15.60) were significantly lower than those in the normal albuminuria group 18.26 ng/mL (14.40, 23.52) and microalbuminuria group 18.20 ng/mL (11.71, 24.20) with statistical significance (p<0.001). Spearman correlation analysis showed a negative correlation between serum 25(OH)D and UACR (r=-0.173, p=0.014). Stepwise linear regression analysis, after adjusting for confounding factors, revealed a linear negative correlation between 25(OH)D and albuminuria (β=-0.278, p<0.001). In the multivariable logistic regression analysis, no association was identified between vitamin D deficiency and microalbuminuria in patients with T2DM. However, vitamin D deficiency may significantly increase the risk of macroalbuminuria in patients with T2DM,with an odds ratio (OR) of 4.747 (95% CI: 1.157-19.473). Vitamin D deficiency is prevalent among the study population. Serum 25(OH)D levels exhibited a significant negative correlation with UACR, suggesting a relationship between vitamin D deficiency and an elevated risk of macroalbuminuria in individuals with T2DM.

Keywords: 25-hydroxyvitamin D; albuminuria; diabetic nephropathy; type 2 diabetes mellitus; urine albumin-to-creatinine ratio.