Association between serum ferritin and type-2 diabetes mellitus

Background: Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common, chronic, metabolic disorder, in which glucose utilization is reduced, producing hyperglycemia. It is due to absolute or relative insulin deficiency, that leads increased blood glucose level in the body. Along with hyperglycemia, development of debilitating complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular diseases and cerebrovascular diseases also make it as a major public health concern in the world. Objectives: To determine the association between serum ferritin level and Type-2 Diabetes mellitus status among the patients attending Internal Medicine OP of Govt. Medical College, Trivandrum, Kerala. Method: The study titled “Association between serum ferritin and Type-2 Diabetes mellitus” was conducted in Internal Medicine OP, MCH, Thiruvananthapuram. This study was completed in Central diagnostic biochemistry laboratory, MCH, Thiruvananthapuram. The study population included 45 cases and 45 controls. Cases were selected based on the inclusion-exclusion criteria. Age and sex matched healthy controls were taken as control. Blood samples were collected after getting written patient consent, for assessing the biochemical parameters such as ferritin, plasma blood glucose, HbA1c, cholesterol and creatinine. Results: • The average value of serum ferritin in diabetic patients was 197.36±113.45ng/ml whereas in control group it was 48.87±16.36ng/ml • The mean value of HbA1c levels in cases was 9.13±1.60% and that of control was 4.59±0.39% • The serum ferritin level showed a positive correlation with duration of diabetes mellitus.(r=0.975,p=0.000) • The serum ferritin level have a significant positive correlation with HbA1c levels(.(r=0.916,p=0.000) • The study showed a positive correlation of serum ferritin levels with FBS and PPBS, with r=0.569, p=0.000 in FBS and r=0.885,p=0.000 in PPBS. • When correlating serum ferritin levels with total cholesterol and creatinine, shows a positive correlation with r=0.856,p=0.000 in total cholesterol and r=0.830,p=0.000 in creatinine. Serum ferritin level in Type 2 diabetics is significantly elevated than non-diabetics. Ferritin may be used as one of the important biomarkers in predicting diabetes mellitus.