Publication:

Correlation between atherogenic factors in complicated and uncomplicated type 2 diabetes mellitus

Background Diabetes mellitus (DM) refers to a group of common metabolic disorders that share the phenotype of hyperglycemia. The factors contributing to hyperglycemia include reduced insulin secretion, decreased glucose utilization and increased glucose production. The vascular complications of DM are subdivided into microvascular (retinopathy, neuropathy, nephropathy) and macrovascular complications (coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, cerebrovascular disease). There is an observed disparity between various vascular complications of diabetes and the atherogenic factors.

Methods The patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus attending outpatient and inpatient departments in Dr. B. R. Ambedkar Medical College and hospital, from September 2014 to September 2016 were selected for this study. All patients were subjected to detailed history, physical examination and laboratory investigations with respect to complications of diabetes mellitus.

Results In this study, 76% of the patients had poor glycemic control with elevated HbA1c >7%. 38% of patients had normal BMI. 36% of patients were overweight and 26% were obese. 62% of patients were either overweight or obese. Hypercholesterolemia was seen in 26% of patients with poor glycemic control. Hyperhomocysteinemia was present in 38% of patients with microvascular complications and 33% of patients with macrovascular complications.

Conclusions Type 2 diabetes mellitus showed a strong correlation between glycemic status and incidence of diabetes complications. Hypercholesterolemia and hyperhomocysteinemia have added to the increased incidence of complications as additional factors in metabolic derangements as a consequence of poor glycemic control.