Tuesday May 20, 2014 (foodconsumer.org) -- A new study in the Journal of Diabetes and its Complications suggests vitamin D deficiency may contribute to left ventricular (LV) dysfunction in patients with type 2 diabetes.

Previous studies have revealed that vitamin D deficiency which is common in diabetics is associated with adverse cardiovascular events.  The current study led by Kai Hang Yiua at The University of Hong Kong in Hong Kong and colleagues shows some evidence to suggest that vitamin D deficiency "may contribute to the development of myocardial dysfunction" in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. 

For the study, 95 patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, but no coronary artery disease at the age of 62 ± 9 years were subject to detailed transthoracic echocardiography.  Serum concentrations of 25-hydoxyvitamin D (25-OHD) were also measured in all patients.

As a result, 63% diabetics were found vitamin D deficient.  The LV dimension, LVEF and diastolic grade did not differ significantly between those with vitamin D deficiency and those without while an impaired global longitudinal strain was found in those with vitamin D deficiency. 

Additionally, both vitamin D (25-OHD) and body mass index were associated with impaired global longitudinal strain.

The researchers concluded "In patients with T2DM and no history of coronary artery disease, vit-D (Vitamin D) deficiency is independently associated with impaired global longitudinal strain."

"This suggests that vit-D deficiency may contribute to the development of myocardial dysfunction in these patients."  (David Liu)