Hepatic, Renal and Cardiovascular Biomarker Variability in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients with Poor Glycemic Control

Abstract

Objective: The main aim of the study was to evaluate and compare the variability of the hepatic, renal and cardiovascular biomarkers in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with poor glycemic control.

Materials and Methods: An analytical cross-sectional study utilizing random sampling technique was used to recruit 103 consenting participants at the Kakamega county general hospital. Approximately 6mls of blood sample was collected and processed for biomarkers of hepatic, renal and cardiovascular function using spectrophotometry and florescence-immuno detection. Data was analyzed using the IBM SPSS ver. 22 software. Chi-square and Fisher’s exact test were done on categorical variables and Kruskal-Wallis test on the continuous variables. A Bonferroni Post-hoc test was done to determine the differences between the groups.

Results: The study revealed a significant hepatic biomarker variability in gamma glutamyl transferase (GGT) (P= 0.031), Total bilirubin (P< 0.0001), Direct bilirubin (P< 0.0001), albumin (P= 0.001) and Aspartate transaminase/alanine transaminase (AST/ALT) ratio (P< 0.0001). Renal biomarkers including Urea (P= 0.002), potassium (P= 0.0012), sodium (P< 0.0001) and chloride (0.007) showed a significant variability in poor glycemic control. Additionally, Triglycerides (P< 0.0001) and total cholesterol (P= 0.046) levels were significantly elevated in poor glycemic control.

Conclusion: Poor glycemic control causes elevation in GGT, AST/ALT ratio, potassium, triglycerides and total cholesterol while bilirubin, albumin, sodium and chloride are reduced.