association between serum vitamin d levels and diabetic retinopathy: a cross-sectional study

Background: diabetic retinopathy is a common vascular complication of diabetes. vitamin d has been found to play a role in the development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. the aim of this study is to investigate the relationship between vitamin d levels and proliferative and non-proliferative retinopathy in diabetic patients.methods: the present study is a cross-sectional analytical study. this study was conducted at hafiz sabzevar diabetes clinic and involved diabetic patients. a total of 80 diabetic patients were categorized into three groups: patients without retinopathy, patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy, and patients with non-proliferative retinopathy. patients' information was collected through a demographic questionnaire and a researcher-made checklist. the data were analyzed using spss 28, with descriptive statistical tests, chi-square, anova, and bonferroni's post hoc test.results: the results of the study showed a significant difference in vitamin d and creatinine levels among the three groups (p<0.001). the post hoc test was used to accurately determine this significant difference. the data revealed that both retinopathy groups had lower levels of vitamin d and higher creatinine compared to the non-retinopathy group, and this difference was statistically significant (p<0.001). however, there was no significant difference between the groups in terms of hdl (p=0.23), ldl (p=0.52), and total cholesterol (p=0.95).conclusion: vitamin d deficiency increases the risk of developing diabetic retinopathy, both proliferative and non-proliferative. therefore, it is recommended to consider taking vitamin d supplements in diabetic patients to maintain normal vitamin d levels, since it has positive effects in preventing the occurrence of diabetic retinopathy.