ABSTRACT
Introduction: Diabetes mellitus is a worldwide epidemic, similarly low Vitamin D levels constitutes a largely unrecognized epidemic in many populations. There is no study in our country to document the association between these two common metabolic disorders
Objective: To assess the degree of correlation between vitamin D status and various categories of hyperglycaemia in a Pakistani population. Study Design: Descriptive cross sectional study. Place and Period of Study: Department of Pathology, PNS SHIFA Hospital, Karachi; Jan 2013 to Aug 2013. Glucose levels were measured in eight six patients divided on the basis of their 25- hydroxyvitamin D3 [25OHD] levels in three groups, normal [>31 ng/ml], insufficient [20-31ng/ml] and deficient [<20ng /ml]. 25OHD was measured by electrochemiluminescence using Roche Elecsys® Systems while glucose was estimated by routine methods on Roche Hitachi® Autoanalyser
Results: Vitamin D levels were inversely correlated with plasma glucose levels [r=0.38; p <0.01] with an Odd Ratio of 3.59 [95%confidence interval 1.29 to 8.70]. Fasting plasma glucose was significantly higher in vitamin D deficient patients as compared to patients with normal vitamin D status [p <0.05]
Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency is negatively associated with plasma glucose levels
ABSTRACT
A 33 years old multigravida lady presented at 8 weeks of gestation for booking, with a history of previous three caesarean sections. In 1995, her first pregnancy ended up in spontaneous abortion. The development of classical symptoms of MG during her second pregnancy and delayed recovery from nondepolarizing muscle relaxant [used for general anaesthesia] led to the suspicion of MG. The neonate also suffered from transient neonatal MG. Later on, she was investigated and found to have raised anticholinesterase receptor antibodies [117 nmol/L], cholinesterase level [4355 micro /L] and serum anti-DNA [3.9 I.V/ml]. Other antibodies including ANA, AMSA and AMA were negative. The treatment for MG started with an anti-cholinesterase agent in a dose of 60 mg daily. Thymectomy was carried out in 1998 for enlarged thymus gland and her symptoms further improved. Thereafter, the dose of anti-cholinesterase drug was reduced to half i.e., 30 mg daily during subsequent three pregnancies. The present pregnancy was supervised intensively by an obstetrician and neurologist. An elective C. section with bilateral tubal ligation was carried out on term under spinal anaesthesia. A male baby weighing 4 kg was delivered with an APGAR scores of eight at one minute and ten at five minutes. The patient continued her normal oral therapy before and after the operation. Her puerperium was uneventful