Osteoprotegerin and 25-hydroxy vitamin D levels in patients with diabetic foot

Objectives: This study aims to compare the levels of osteoprotegerin (OPG) and 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH) D) in patients with diabetic foot and patients with newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and to investigate the prevalence and severity of 25(OH) D insufficiency in patients with diabetic foot. Patients and methods: This prospective study was conducted on 105 patients including 58 patients with diabetic foot (42 males, 16 females; mean age 63.6 years; range, 31 to 90 years), who applied to our hospital between June 2014 and May 2015, and 47 newly diagnosed type 2 DM patients (27 males, 20 females; mean age 51.4 years; range, 29 to 85 years) (control group). 25(OH) D and osteoprotegerin serum levels in both groups were measured and compared. Results: Osteoprotegerin levels in diabetic foot group were significantly higher than the control group (p< 0.05). The 25(OH) D levels in diabetic foot group were significantly lower than the control group (p< 0.05). There were positive correlations between OPG levels and C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatinine levels in patients with diabetic foot. Conclusion: Elevated levels of OPG in patients with diabetic foot may display the severity of the clinical status due to its positive correlation with CRP and creatinine. We detected severe 25(OH) D deficiency in the majority of diabetic foot patients. Vitamin D supplementation may be required in diabetic foot patients to prevent unfavorable immunologic alterations.