05.24.16
A trio of authors reporting their analysis of observational studies revealed a significant association between vitamin D deficiency (VDD) and diabetic retinopathy (DR), one of the leading causes of blindness throughout the world.
Dr. Sikarin Upala, Dr. Jason Zhang and Dr. Anawin Sanguankeo analyzed data from 13 studies involving more than 9,000 participants to arrive at their conclusion, which was presented as an abstract at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 25th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress.
“Although the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has been, and remains, an area of debate, our meta-analysis of current evidence shows a statistically significant connection between VDD and DR and suggest people with low vitamin D levels should be screened for diabetic retinopathy,” said Dr. Sanguankeo.
The study authors further suggested that vitamin D supplementation as a mechanism against the development of progression of DR, particularly in older female patients, warrants further investigation.
Dr. Sikarin Upala, Dr. Jason Zhang and Dr. Anawin Sanguankeo analyzed data from 13 studies involving more than 9,000 participants to arrive at their conclusion, which was presented as an abstract at the American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists (AACE) 25th Annual Scientific & Clinical Congress.
“Although the role of vitamin D in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy has been, and remains, an area of debate, our meta-analysis of current evidence shows a statistically significant connection between VDD and DR and suggest people with low vitamin D levels should be screened for diabetic retinopathy,” said Dr. Sanguankeo.
The study authors further suggested that vitamin D supplementation as a mechanism against the development of progression of DR, particularly in older female patients, warrants further investigation.