LADA patients treated with sitagliptin and insulin maintained β-cell function by comparison with insulin alone.

There is a high prevalence of vitamin D deficiency worldwide, but how to define vitamin D deficiency is controversial. Currently, the plasma concentration of total 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] is considered an indicator of vitamin D status. The free hormone hypothesis states that protein-bound hormones are inactive while unbound hormones are free to exert biological activity. The majority of circulating 25(OH)D and 1,25(OH)2D is tightly bound to vitamin D binding protein (DBP), 10–15% is bound to albumin, and less than 1% of circulating vitamin D exists in an unbound form. While DBP is relatively stable in most healthy populations, a recent study showed that there are gene polymorphisms associated with race and ethnicity that could alter DBP levels and binding affinity. Furthermore, in some clinical situations, total vitamin D levels are altered and knowing whether DBP is also altered may have treatment implications. The aim of this review is to assess DBP concentration in different physiological and pathophysiological conditions. We suggest that DBP should be considered in the interpretation of 25(OH)D levels.

higher in patients with neuropathy than patients without neuropathy (58.7% vs 32.7%, P < 0.01). The prevalence of heartburn, chest pain and chronic cough are also higher in patients with neuropathy than in patients without neuropathy (43.5% vs 24%; 10.9% vs 4.8% and 17.8% vs 6.7% respectively, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION:The prevalence of GERD symptoms in type 2 DM is higher than in the general population. Our data suggest that DM neuropathy may be an important associated factor for developing GERD symptoms. INTRODUCTIONThe prevalence of gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms is reported to be higher in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) [1] than the general population. Although not generally considered as important causes of morbidity or mortality in DM patients, these symptoms can influence health related quality of life (HRQOL) and affect productivity and employment status [2,3] . GI symptoms can be encountered in up to 75% of diabetic outpatients evaluated in tertiary care referral centers [4,5] . Many patients with GI disorders remain undiagnosed and untreated. The underlying mechanisms of the high prevalence of gastrointestinal symptoms in type 2 DM are poorly defined and controversy exists at the present time. The association of GI symptoms in DM to glycemic control is debated and controversy exists [6,7] . Many of the gastrointestinal symptoms in diabetics suggest motor dysfunction, and a neuropathic basis to those dysfunctions would be a reasonable explanation. A recent study by Bytzer et al suggests that GI symptoms in DM were associated with complications of DM, particularly peripheral neuropathy [6] . Some studies even suggest that gastrointestinal symptoms in Abstract AIM: To analyze the prevalence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) related symptoms in patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) and to find out the relationship between diabetic neuropathy and the prevalence of GERD symptoms. RAPID COMMUNICATION