Frequency of elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels among type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients.

Abstract

Objectives: To determine the frequency of elevated plasma homocysteine (Hcy) levels among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. Study Design: Cross sectional study. Setting: Department of Medicine, Abbasi Shaheed Hospital, Karachi. Period: From 28 September 2012 to 26 March 2015. Material & Methods: Type 2 Diabetic patients fulfilling inclusion criteria were enrolled. Patients with conditions known to cause altered homocysteine levels were excluded. Patients’ HbA1c and fasting serum homocysteine levels were obtained. Level >15 μmol/L was labeled as elevated.  Data was collected with the help of Performa. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 21. Results: (90) ninety patients were enrolled in this study during study period with mean age of 61.5±7.3 years. Of (90) ninety patients, 45 (50%) were male and 45 (50%) were female with male to female ratio of 1:1. Mean duration of diabetes was 6.9±1.7 years. 40 (44.44%) cases were of controlled diabetes and 43 (47.7%) were on treatment. Of 90 patients 36 (40%) patients had Homocysteinemia. Homocysteine levels were found to be significantly raised in males 51.1% v/s 28.8% (p<0.03), older patients (>60 years of age) 55.5% v/s 16.6% (p<0.001), having diabetes for > 7 years, 59.2% v/s 17%(p<0.00004), in 21% v/s 57.4% cases who were and were not on treatment respectively (p<0.0004), in 22.5% patients with controlled diabetes and 54% patients with uncontrolled diabetes respectively (p<0.002). Conclusion: Hyperhomocystenemia is prevalent (40%) in type 2 diabetics with statistically significant raised levels in males, >60 years of age, non-compliant diabetics, have long duration diabetes, and uncontrolled disease.