Vitamin D in Clinical Practice: Current Perspectives

India is a heliophobic country; despite ample sunshine, almost 490 million people are vitamin D deficient in the country. Additionally, the Indian diet has not been successful in providing the daily need for vitamin D, leading to a vitamin D deficiency. The need to fortifying food with vitamin D has been raised several times. Besides, there have been discussions about whether vitamin D is a hormone or a vitamin? In this review, the authors have reviewed vitamin D deficiency and its status in India, assessment and screening, the role of vitamin D in various disease conditions, dosage recommendation and regimen.

Vitamin D in Clinical Practice: Current Perspectives

India is a heliophobic country; despite ample sunshine, almost 490 million people are vitamin D deficient in the country. Additionally, the Indian diet has not been successful in providing the daily need for vitamin D, leading to a vitamin D deficiency. The need to fortifying food with vitamin D has been raised several times. Besides, there have been discussions about whether vitamin D is a hormone or a vitamin? In this review, the authors have reviewed vitamin D deficiency and its status in India, assessment and screening, the role of vitamin D in various disease conditions, dosage recommendation and regimen.

Indian Reality of Clinical Practice and Patient Profile in Diabetes Care: Lessons from the IMPACT survey

India shoulders a heavy burden of diabetes mellitus (DM), the management of which is suboptimal globally. Objectives: Insulin Management: Practical Aspects in Choice of Therapy (IMPACT) survey was designed to gain insight into the ground (in-clinic) reality of DM management by physicians in India. Methods: A survey consisting of 12 multiple-choice questions was conducted by SurveyMonkey ® , focusing on practice profile, patient profile, and other aspects of DM management. Results: The survey included 2424 physicians. Majority of them were general physicians (58.5%) followed by diabetologists (31.1%). Most (49.2%) of the respondents specified that the ideal time for a DM consultation is 15 min. However, 73.4% of them provided consultation of <10 min because of heavy patient load. Nearly half of the respondents reported that their patients consumed a diet with carbohydrate content of 60% to 80%, and 79.4% of them admitted that <50% of their patients adhered to dietary advice. About 73.5% of the respondents believed controlling fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level alone would not adequately control postprandial plasma glucose (PPG) level, and 93.0% of them preferred an insulin therapy at the initiation that controls both FPG and PPG levels. Conclusion: Limited consultation time, high-carbohydrate diet, and a need for choosing insulin regimens that provide control for both PPG and FPG levels are some ground realities of DM management in India. These realities need to be factored in while choosing treatment options to achieve the desired glycemic control and improve the status of diabetes care.

High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among newly diagnosed youth-onset diabetes mellitus in north India / Alta prevalência de deficiência de vitamina D entre casos de diabetes de início na juventude recém-diagnosticada no norte da Índia

OBJECTIVES: Vitamin D deficiency is common at all ages, and low levels of vitamin D have been associated with high incidence of type 1 diabetes. Similar results are not consistent for type 2 diabetes. The aim of the present study was to estimate vitamin D status in newly detected youth-onset diabetes in north India. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: This was a prospective case control study at a tertiary care hospital in north India. Seventy two newly detected youth-onset diabetes subjects (age < 25 years), and 41 age- and gender-matched healthy controls were studied. In addition to basic information and management regarding their diabetes, metabolic parameters and serum 25(OH)D were measured in both the groups. RESULTS: Vitamin D deficiency was seen in 91.1% of the subjects with diabetes, and 58.5% of the healthy controls. Mean ±SD 25(OH)D was significantly low, 7.88 ± 1.20 ng/mL in subjects with diabetes against 16.64 ± 7.83 ng/mL in controls. Sixty percent of cases had severe Vitamin D deficiency compared with 8.3% in controls. Levels of vitamin D did not correlate with clinical parameters, such as gender, body mass index; or with biochemical parameters, such as serum calcium, phosphorus, alkaline phosphatase, fasting plasma glucose, and HbA1C. CONCLUSION: Vitamin D deficiency is common in people with youth-onset diabetes.

OBJETIVOS: A deficiência de vitamina D é comum em todas as idades, e baixas concentrações de vitamina D estão associadas à alta incidência de diabetes tipo 1. Entretanto, resultados similares não são consistentes para o diabetes tipo 2. O objetivo do presente estudo foi estimar a condição dos pacientes com relação à vitamina D em casos de diabetes de início na juventude recém-diagnosticada no norte da Índia. SUJEITOS E MÉTODOS: Este foi um estudo prospectivo controlado em um hospital de cuidados terciários no norte da Índia. Setenta e dois pacientes com diabetes de início na juventude recém-diagnosticada (idade < 25 anos) e 41 controles saudáveis, sem diabetes, pareados por idade e sexo, foram estudados. Além das informações básicas e controle do diabetes, parâmetros metabólicos e a 25(OH)D sérica foram avaliados em ambos os grupos. RESULTADOS: A deficiência de vitamina D foi observada em 91,1% dos pacientes com diabetes e em 58,5% dos controles saudáveis. A média ± DP de 25(OH)D foi significativamente baixa, 7,88 ± 1,20 ng/mL nos pacientes com diabetes contra 16,64 ± 7,83 ng/mL nos controles. Sessenta por cento dos pacientes com diabetes apresentaram deficiência grave de vitamina D, contra 8,3% dos controles. As concentrações de vitamina D se correlacionaram com os parâmetros clínicos, como sexo, índice de massa corporal, ou com parâmetros bioquímicos, como cálcio e fósforo séricos, fosfatase alcalina, glicemia de jejum e HbA1C. CONCLUSÃO: A deficiência de vitamina D é comum em pacientes com diabetes de início na juventude.

Spontaneous pregnancy in a patient with a combination of ovarian and thyroid failure / Gravidez espontânea em uma paciente apresentando uma combinação de falência ovariana e disfunção tireoidiana

Premature ovarian failure has an overall prevalence of 0.3 percent to 0.9 percent in general population. If fertility is a concern, treatment usually consists of estrogen therapy as hormone replacement and oocyte donation. Spontaneous pregnancy in affected women is uncommon. We report a case of a 34-year old woman, who had premature ovarian failure and primary hypothyroidism, and conceived spontaneously eleven years after the development of premature ovarian failure and correction of hypothyroidism.

A falência ovariana prematura tem uma prevalência global variando de 0,3 por cento a 0,9 por cento na população em geral. Nos casos em que existe preocupação com a fertilidade, o tratamento geralmente consiste de terapia de reposição hormonal com estrógeno e doação de oócitos. A gravidez espontânea em mulheres afetadas não é comum. Relatamos um caso de uma mulher de 34 anos de idade que apresentou falência ovariana prematura e hipotireoidismo primário e concebeu espontaneamente onze anos após o desenvolvimento da falência ovariana prematura e da correção do hipotireoidismo.

Sheehan's syndrome with central diabetes insipidus / Síndrome de Sheehan e diabetes insípido central

Sheehan's syndrome refers to the occurrence of hypopituitarism after delivery, usually preceded by postpartum hemorrhage. The condition still continues to be a common cause of hypopituitarism in developing countries like India. The disorder usually presents with anterior pituitary failure with preservation of posterior pituitary functions. Posterior pituitary dysfunction in the form of central diabetes insipidus is rare in patients with Sheehan's syndrome. We describe the clinical course of a young lady who after her sixth childbirth developed severe postpartum hemorrhage followed by development of panhypopituitarism which was confirmed by hormonal investigation and demonstration of empty sella on imaging. In addition, she developed Polyuria. The water deprivation test and response to vasopressin test results indicated central diabetes insipidus. She needed oral desmopressin on a continuous basis to control polyuria.

A síndrome de Sheehan está relacionada à ocorrência de hipopituitarismo pós-parto, geralmente precedido por hemorragia pós-parto. Essa condição clínica ainda constitui causa comum do hipopituitarismo observado em países em desenvolvimento como a Índia. Essa síndrome se caracteriza pela insuficiência da glândula hipofisária anterior, porém com a conservação das funções da glândula hipofisária posterior. A disfunção da hipófise posterior, sob a forma de diabetes insipidus central, é algo raramente observado em pacientes que apresentam a síndrome de Sheehan. Neste artigo, descrevemos o caso de uma jovem que, após o sexto parto, apresentou hemorragia pós-parto grave, seguida pela evolução de pan-hipopituitarismo que foi confirmado por pesquisa hormonal e exames de imagem que evidenciaram sela vazia. A jovem também apresentou poliúria. Os resultados do teste de privação de água e exame de resposta à vasopressina indicaram diabetes insípido central. A paciente fazia uso contínuo de desmopressina para controlar a poliúria.

Prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Kashmir valley of Indian subcontinent.

Background: This study was conducted to evaluate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome in Kashmir valley of North India. Materials and Methods: The study was done among the attendants who accompanied patients in inpatient and outpatient departments of Sher-i-Kashmir Institute of Medical Sciences, Srinagar (Kashmir). A stratified random sampling procedure was adopted for the study. A total of 500 subjects were studied over a period of one year which included 257 men and 243 women. All subjects underwent anthropometric assessment and blood pressure measurements. Fasting blood sample was obtained for blood glucose and lipids. Subjects were screened for the components of metabolic syndrome according to criteria given by adult treatment panel (ATP-III). Analysis and inference were drawn using Student's test, chi-square test, Man Whitney U test, and logistic regression analysis. Results: The mean age of both men and women was 37 years. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 8.6% ( n =43); with males constituting 7.4% ( n =19) and females constituting 9.9% ( n =24). Though prevalence was more in females, it was insignificant ( P =0.323). The prevalence of hypertension in males was 24.9% and in females it was 12.3%. The prevalence of hyperglycemia in males was 9.3% and in females it was 7.4%. 9.7% males and 25.9% females had low HDL-cholesterol. 17% males and 13.2% females had elevated triglyceride levels. Conclusion: Our study showed low prevalence of metabolic syndrome as compared to South and North Indian population.

Prevalence of hypertension in patients with new onset type 2 diabetes mellitus.

This study was conducted to find out the prevalence of hypertension in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Five hundred patients (229 men and 271 women) with type 2 diabetes mellitus diagnosed in the last 6 months were evaluated for hypertension and presence of various diabetes related complications. Overall 42% (210/500) of the patients had hypertension; more women (46.1%) than men (37.1%) were affected. Patients with hypertension were older, had higher body mass index and plasma triglyceride levels, and evidence of ventricular hypertrophy on electrocardiogram. Female sex, higher age, family history of hypertension or diabetes, history of neuropathic pains, higher body mass index, presence of albuminuria, dyslipidaemia or cardiac hypertrophy were found to affect prevalence of hypertension in newly diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus.

Iodine deficiency disorders in India.

Iodine deficiency disorders were widely prevalent in Indian subcontinent before the successful salt iodisation. There has been a remarkable decline in goitre prevalence and improvement of functional thyroid status and normalisation of iodine nutrition status in the community. Goitre endemicity of varying degree persists among school children even a decade after successful salt iodisation in India. Some other factors like high thiocyanate exposure or auto-immune thyroid disease could be responsible for such a phenomenon.

Epidemiological aspects of prediabetes--review of the current data.

The term 'prediabetes' has been used to describe the condition in which blood glucose levels are higher than normal but not yet diabetic and includes the two abnormalities, impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG). Subsequent to the American Diabetes Associaton (ADA) recommendation to adjust downward the normal fasting glucose level from 110 to 100 mg/dl, the prevalence of IFG has increased by 2 to 4 fold. The demonstration by recent randomised controlled trials that type 2 diabetes mellitus is preventable has raised hope for the possibility of reducing cardiovascular morbidity and mortality associated with diabetes. Interventions like lifestyle modification and pharmacological therapy are recommended in individuals with prediabetes to achieve the goal of prevention of diabetes in high -risk population.

Sulphonylureas in the management of type 2 diabetes during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Although a majority of Muslim patients with type 2 diabetes fast during the month of Ramadan, there are no accepted guidelines for its management during this period. The few studies on this subject suggest that there are important alterations in energy intake and physical activity, and that most patients change their pattern of drug intake. This is associated with a greater risk of hypoglycaemia and ketoacidosis. The usual pattern of eating during Ramadan, and its influence on the normal diurnal variation of blood sugar with a regular non-fasting diabetic diet, suggests that anti-diabetic agents for use during this period need to be selected according to their pharmacokinetic and tablet formulation characteristics. The sulphonylureas are first line drugs in type 2 diabetes and used by a majority of patients. A comparison of the pharmacokinetics, efficacy, and safety characteristics of these agents suggests that a long-acting once daily formulation of gliclazide such as gliclazide modified release, taken in the evening, may be the sulphonylurea of choice during Ramadan.