Association between serum uric acid and HbA1c in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus: A case control study in Indian population

Background and Aim: Uric acid is a pro-oxidant molecule that might be implicated in increasing oxidative stress and insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Hence, the aim of the study was to assess serum uric acid and HbA_1c level (an indicator of glycemic control) in these patients and speculate the association between the two.

Methods: 40 newly diagnosed cases of Type 2 diabetes mellitus (20 males and 20 females) with age ranging between 35-70 years were statistically compared against 40 age and sex-matched healthy subjects with respect to their uric acid and HbA1c levels. Demographic data like the height and weight of patients was also recorded and statistically compared.

Results: No statistical difference in age, height and weight were observed in type 2 diabetes cases vs. controls indicating that the groups were comparable. HbA1c and uric acid levels of males and females with type 2 diabetes mellitus were significantly higher in comparison to normal males and females(controls). Correlation analysis showed a positive and significant correlation between HbA1c and uric acid levels in male and female cases of type 2 diabetes mellitus

Conclusion: Uric acid might have a role in the development or worsening of type 2 diabetes mellitus. However, further studies are required with a larger sample size to clearly establish the relationship between uric acid and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus since studies in the literature have shown conflicting results and hence the understanding of the etiopathogenesis of type 2 diabetes mellitus remains poorly understood with respect to uric acid.

Keywords: type 2 diabetes mellitus; uric acid, HbA_1c; etiopathogenesis; correlation.