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Ferritin and serum iron as surrogate markers of poor glycemic control and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus

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Abstract

This study was designed to find the correlation of iron indices with HbA1c levels and microvascular complications among patients with type 2 DM. Results were consistent with our hypothesis that high iron indices (serum iron and serum ferritin) not high enough to cause hemochromatosis but were still associated with poor glycemic control and its complications. The mean age of study group was 58.57 ± 3.17 years; whereas, the mean age of control group was 53.95 ± 4.43. The mean HbA1c of study group was 9.46 ± 1.31; whereas, the mean HbA1c of control group was 6.42 ± 0.28. The duration of diabetes in study group was 9.69 ± 2.69 years; whereas, it is 5.26 ± 2.81 years in control group. The mean serum iron level in study group was 155.08 ± 22.13 μg/dl; whereas, it is 88.81 ± 38.04 μg/dl in control group. The mean serum ferritin level in study group was 284.79 ± 50.06 ng/ml; whereas, it is 181.31 ± 54.08 ng/ml in control group. The mean serum transferrin saturation in study group was 30.25 ± 9.94; whereas, it is 28.92 ± 6.03 in control group. Out of the 100 patients in the study group, 40 patients had nephropathy, 33 patients had retinopathy, and 31 patients had neuropathy. In 100 patients in the control group, 12 patients had nephropathy, 11 patients had retinopathy, and 12 patients had neuropathy. On applying Pearson’s coefficient of correlation, a moderately significant correlation was obtained between serum iron, ferritin, and HbA1c in study group. However, no significant correlation was obtained with transferrin saturation. On applying regression analysis among HbA1c, serum ferritin, and serum iron, it was observed (the sum of squares of the group was 30.5) that variation is not due to chance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Maharaja Agrasen Hospital, P Bagh, New Delhi, India

    Rajeev Chawla, Aravind Bhoopathi & Hitesh Punyani

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  1. Rajeev Chawla
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  2. Aravind Bhoopathi
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  3. Hitesh Punyani
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Correspondence to Rajeev Chawla.

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Chawla, R., Bhoopathi, A. & Punyani, H. Ferritin and serum iron as surrogate markers of poor glycemic control and microvascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus. Int J Diabetes Dev Ctries 39, 362–368 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13410-018-0687-1

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