Research Progress on the Relationship between Vitamin D and Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and Its Complications

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is currently considered to be a chronic autoimmune disease caused by destruction of pancreatic β-cells. It is mainly caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors that lead to destruction of pancreatic β-cells, which results in an absolute lack of insulin secretion in the body and a lifelong dependence on extracorporeal insulin therapy. As the incidence of T1DM continues to increase globally, more attention has been paid to the prevention and treatment of T1DM. Numerous studies have demonstrated that vitamin D, in addition to its value in bone metabolism and calcium-phosphorus homeostasis, also plays an important role in the development and progression of chronic inflammatory and immune-related diseases. Therefore, on the basis of introducing the epidemiology of T1DM and the role of vitamin D, this article further elaborates the correlation between vitamin D and T1DM and its complications, with a view to providing a theoretical basis for clinicians to comprehensively diagnose and treat T1DM.