Vitamin D Status and Its Association with Lipid Metabolism and Glycemic Control in Type 2 Diabetes: A Cross-Sectional Study in Tobruk, Libya

Background: Vitamin D deficiency and dyslipidemia are frequently observed in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) and may influence glycemic control and cardiovascular risk. This study investigates the association between vitamin D status, glycemic markers, and lipid profiles in DM patients in Tobruk, Libya. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 167 participants (both diabetic and non-diabetic). Serum vitamin D, fasting blood glucose (FBG), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c), and lipid profile parameters (LDL, HDL, total cholesterol, triglycerides) were measured. Statistical analyses included a chi-square test, Pearson correlation, and regression models to assess associations. Results: Vitamin D deficiency was significantly more prevalent among females (84%) than males (59%) (p = 0.023), and among older adults aged 51–78 years (84.9%) (p = 0.011). Significant associations were found between vitamin D deficiency and diabetes diagnosis (p = 0.0012), elevated FBG (p = 0.0038), and HbA1c (p = 0.014). Among lipid markers, only LDL cholesterol showed a significant association with vitamin D status (p = 0.032). No significant associations were found for total cholesterol (p = 0.149), HDL (p = 0.289), or triglycerides (p = 0.903). Conclusion: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among diabetic and older individuals and is significantly associated with poor glycemic control. Elevated LDL cholesterol was the only lipid parameter linked considerably to vitamin D deficiency. Further longitudinal studies are recommended to explore the metabolic implications of vitamin D in DM.