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Low vitamin E status is a potential risk factor for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

  1. P. Knekt1,
  2. A. Reunanen1,
  3. J. Marniemi2,
  4. A. Leino2,
  5. A. Aromaa1

Article first published online: 25 DEC 2001

DOI: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.1999.00416.x

Issue

Journal of Internal Medicine

Journal of Internal Medicine

Volume 245, Issue 1, pages 99–102, January 1999

Additional Information

How to Cite

Knekt, P., Reunanen, A., Marniemi, J., Leino, A. and Aromaa, A. (1999), Low vitamin E status is a potential risk factor for insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Journal of Internal Medicine, 245: 99–102. doi: 10.1046/j.1365-2796.1999.00416.x

Author Information

  1. 1

    From the National Public Health Institute, Helsinki, and the

  2. 2

    Social Insurance Institution, Turku, Finland

* Dr Paul Knekt National Public Health Institute, Mannerheimintie 166, 00300 Helsinki, Finland (fax: +358 9 4744 8760).

Publication History

  1. Issue published online: 25 DEC 2001
  2. Article first published online: 25 DEC 2001

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Keywords:

  • cohort studies;
  • epidemiology;
  • insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus;
  • risk factors;
  • vitamin E

Abstract.

Objectives. To study the association of vitamin E status with occurrence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

Design. A case–control study nested within a 21-year follow-up study.

Subjects. Nineteen incident IDDM patients with an average age of 28 years and three individually matched controls per patient.

Main outcome measure. Serum concentrations of alpha-tocopherol.

Results. Serum alpha-tocopherol concentration at the baseline examination was inversely associated with IDDM occurring 4–14 years later. The cholesterol-adjusted relative risk of IDDM between the highest and lowest thirds of the vitamin concentration was 0.12 (95% confidence interval = 0.02– 0.85).

Conclusions. The finding corroborates the hypothesis of a protective effect of vitamin E against development of IDDM. Because of the relatively old age of the patients in the present population, further epidemiological studies on the topic are warranted.

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