TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS

Background: Peripheral neuropathic pain is a devastating complication intype 2 diabetic patients with significant morbidity and mortality. Objectives: To investigate theeffect of oral vitamin D supplementation on symptoms of peripheral neuropathic pain in type 2diabetic patients. Study Design: Prospective randomized placebo controlled trial. Setting:Diabetic Clinic of Sheikh Zayed Medical College/Hospital Rahim Yar Khan. Period: Overa period of 6 months from Jan-July 2017. Methods: 116 vitamin D deficient type 2 diabeticpatients with symptoms of peripheral neuropathic pain were divided in to two groups toprescribed either oral vitamin D3 capsule 50000IU weekly or Placebo capsule for a periodof 12 weeks. Symptoms of diabetic neuropathic pain were assessed by neuropathysymptoms score (NSS) and neuropathy disability score (NDS) while Vitamin D status wasestimated by measuring the serum total 25(OH) D concentration. The primary end pointwas changes in NSS and NDS while secondary end point was changes in HbA1C and 25(OH) D concentrations from baseline. Results: After 12 weeks of vitamin D therapy, vitaminD improved its own level in interventional group (28.5±12.5 to 48.2±15.6) vs placebo group(30.6±16.2 to31.5±12.6) with p-value (0.001). This rise was accompanied by improvementin HbAIc (8.2±1.8 to 7.5±2.2) vs Placebo (7.8±1.5 to 8.0±1.8) with p-value (0.004) and NSSscore (6.02±1.5 to 4.52±0.8) vs placebo (5.82 ±1.8 to 5.65±1.5) with p-value (0.002). Howeverno significant changes were seen in NDS in both study groups. Conclusion: Oral vitamin D3therapy has positive impact on its own status as well as symptoms of peripheral neuropathicpain in type 2 diabetic patients.