Micronutrient deficiencies are a growing concern among individuals with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2D), given their potential impact on metabolic pathways and disease progression. A systematic review published in BMJ Nutrition, Health, and Prevention aimed to assess the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in T2D patients, evaluate temporal trends using meta-regression, and analyze the overall quality of evidence supporting these findings.
The meta-regression analysis assessed prevalence trends over time for various micronutrients. The overall micronutrient deficiency prevalence trend did not show statistical significance but suggested a weak increasing pattern. When specific micronutrients were analyzed, vitamin D and vitamin B12 exhibited a slight non-significant increase in prevalence over time, where, magnesium deficiency showed a decreasing trend. Despite these findings, none of the temporal trends reached statistical significance, indicating variability in deficiency prevalence that may be influenced by factors such as dietary changes, medication use, and healthcare access.
The pooled prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies in T2D patients was found to be 45.30%. Among individual micronutrients, vitamin D deficiency was the most prevalent at 60.45% followed by magnesium deficiency. Vitamin B12 deficiency was particularly noted in T2D patients on metformin therapy, a common glucose-lowering medication known to interfere with B12 absorption.
Women appeared more vulnerable to micronutrient deficiencies than men, underscoring potential gender-based nutritional disparities. Given that multiple micronutrients play crucial roles in glucose metabolism and insulin signaling, deficiencies could exacerbate disease progression and complications.
While the certainty of evidence was deemed moderate, the results highlight the need for further research, particularly well-designed population-based studies and RCTs. Clinicians and policymakers should consider these findings when designing nutritional interventions and public health strategies aimed at optimizing micronutrient status in diabetes care. Addressing these deficiencies through targeted supplementation or dietary modifications could play a crucial role in improving metabolic health outcomes for individuals with T2D.
Sources: BMJ Nutrition, Health, and Prevention
