Inflammatory Markers and Their Significance in Glycemic Control among Type 2 Diabetes Patients

Abstract

Objective: To compare serum C-reactive protein and Ferritin levels between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy individuals and also to assess their association with HbA1c levels. 
Study Design: Comparative cross-sectional study.
Place and Duration of Study: This study was carried out from March 2024 to October 2024 at the Department of Pathology, Fauji Foundation Hospital, Rawalpindi.
Materials and Methods: Total 300 participants were divided into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Diabetic group included 195 known type 2 diabetes patients having diabetes for at least 5 years. Non-diabetic group included 105 apparently healthy subjects. Patients having type-1 Diabetes, hemochromatosis, acute or chronic infection/inflammation, hypertension, pregnancy, anaemia, hemoglobinopathy, recent blood loss, blood transfusion/donation or those taking iron supplements were excluded. All demographic and clinical details
were noted followed by blood sample collection and Laboratory analysis for serum Ferritin, CRP, fasting plasma glucose and plasma HbA1c. Results were statistically analyzed on SPSS 22. 
Results: The study comprised of 300 participants who were stratified into diabetic and non-diabetic groups. Elevated levels of serum Ferritin and CRP were observed in diabetic patients compared to healthy subjects; serum Ferritin level 165(98.50-190.00) ng/ml vs. 85.00(55.20-105.25) ng/ml (p = 0.036) and serum CRP level 8.50(5.70-11.10) mg/l vs. 2.80(2.30-4.00) mg/l (p <0.001) respectively. Significant positive correlation was also noted between these inflammatory markers and plasma HbA c; for serum CRP, r=0.464, p <0.001 and for serum 1
Ferritin, r=0.231, p =0.001.
Conclusion: Our study revealed significantly elevated levels of serum CRP and Ferritin in type 2 Diabetes patients as compared to healthy subjects. Serum CRP and Ferritin are positively correlated with HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes. These findings support the hypothesis that inflammatory markers may reflect glycemic control status in type 2 diabetes patients.