Psychological comorbidity and vitamin d levels among women with type II diabetes: Findings from the North Carolina neurocognition risk reduction diabetes study

Introduction: Inadequate levels of vitamin D have been linked to impaired insulin synthesis and secretion, and increased incidence of depression and anxiety. However, vitamin D's role among women with Type 2 Diabetes (T2DM) and comorbid depression and/or anxiety is still unknown. As risk factors for dementia, depression and/or anxiety are also linked to increased mortality risk among this population. This study aimed to explore vitamin D levels among women with T2DM and comorbid depression/anxiety. Methods: Data was obtained through retrospective chart review. Depression/anxiety was determined by presence of diagnosis or health care provider note. Vitamin D levels were measured by presence of 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and 1-25-dihydroxyvitamin D [1,25(OH)2 D] testing. Results: Participants (n=124) were predominantly female (77%) African Americans (61%), between the ages 26 and 65 (SD ± 9.66, Mean=51). Among women, 51% had history of depression, 40% had history of anxiety. Median vitamin D level was 23 (4–78) ng/dL. Seventy percent of women had vitamin D deficiency (lowest value to 20 ng/dL) and insufficiency (21-29 ng/dL), 33% and 37% respectively. However, among all women, only 2 had a diagnosis of vitamin D deficiency reported in their medical record. Conclusion: Preliminary results suggest inadequate levels of vitamin D may be overlooked as a health risk factor and linked to increased prevalence of psychological disturbance among women with T2DM. Due to its connection to both diabetes management and neurocognitive risk, it is important that the relationship between psychological disturbance and vitamin D deficiency in women with T2DM be investigated.