Abstract
As the relationships between C-peptide levels and metabolic control and chronic complications are poorly known in type 2 diabetes, due to the slow decline of beta-cell function, we evaluated these associations in a cohort of type 2 diabetic patients. After excluding insulin-trated subjects, 1533 patients were divided according to their C-peptide fasting levels in quartiles. Patients within the lowest C-peptide quartile showed significantly higher duration of diabetes, prevalence of retinopathy and values of HDL-cholesterol, albumin excretion rate and HbA1c, while BMI, diastolic blood pressure, percentages of hypertension and metabolic syndrome, and values of triglycerides and uric acid were significantly higher in the highest C-peptide quartile. The associations between C-peptide and duration of diabetes, AER, HbA1c, retinopathy and the components of the metabolic syndrome remained significant, after multiple adjustments. In conclusion, these data support the hypothesis that a reduced insulin secretion is associated with a longer duration of diabetes and a greater prevalence of microvascular complications, while higher insulin levels are associated with the components of the metabolic syndrome.
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Received: 21 August 2000 / Accepted in revised form: 5 December 2000
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Bo, S., Cavallo-Perin, P., Gentile, L. et al. Relationship of residual beta-cell function, metabolic control and chronic complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Acta Diabetol 37, 125–129 (2000). https://doi.org/10.1007/s005920070014
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s005920070014