Objective: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D (25[OH]D) status and the risk of cardiovascular disease as assessed by various cardiovascular risk scoring systems such as QRISK2, BNF, ASSING, SCORE, and Framingham in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).
Methods: The study included 108 patients with vitamin D insufficiency (25[OH]D ≥ 10-30 ng/mL) and 100 patients with vitamin D deficiency (25[OH]D < 10 ng/mL), who were admitted to the diabetes outpatient clinics due to T2DM and who were aged 45-65 years. QRISK2, BNF, ASSING, SCORE, and Framingham were calculated and compared between the two groups.
Results: HbA1c levels were significantly higher in patients with vitamin D deficiency. Patients with vitamin D deficiency had significantly higher Framingham risk score (p < .001) and significantly lower BNF score (p < .001), whereas other scores did not significantly differ between the groups. There was a moderate, statistically significant correlation between 25[OH]D levels and Framingham risk score in negative direction (r = 0.537) and a weak but statistically significant correlation between 25[OH]D levels and BNF score (r = 0.295). 25[OH]D levels were significantly higher and HbA1c levels were significantly lower in patients with Framingham cardiovascular risk score ≤10%.
Conclusion: We found a close relationship with Framingham cardiovascular risk score in diabetic patients with very low serum vitamin D levels. Cardiovascular risk as assessed by the Framingham's scale increases with decreasing 25[OH]D levels. BNF score was negatively correlated with 25[OH]D levels.
Keywords: BNF score; Framingham risk score; Type 2 diabetes mellitus; various cardiovascular risk scores; vitamin D deficiency.