An Observational Analytical Study on Correlation of Serum Uric Acid and HbA1C in Prediabetic and Diabetic Patients

Aims: Diabetes mellitus is a metabolic disorder characterised by hyperglycaemia caused by either deficiency in insulin production or insulin action, or both. HbA1c is a commonly accessible test indicated by most doctors to assess the long term glycaemic control in diabetes patients over the duration of past 3 months. Oxidative stress can be predicted in both diabetic and non-diabetic patients through the serum uric acid levels. Therefore, this study aimed at finding out the association between serum uric acid and glycaemic control (HbA1c).

Study Design: Analytical Observational Cross Sectional Study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of General Medicine, KLES Dr. Prabhakar Kore Hospital, Belagavi; conducted between 1st January 2020 to 31st December 2020.

Methodology: A one year analytical observation type of study was conducted on 108 patients between the ages of 30 and 70 years diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Prediabetes were included in this research. Patients diagnosed with myeloproliferative or lymphoproliferative illnesses, psoriasis, pregnancy, gout and those on medications for gout, and chronic alcoholics were excluded. Enzymatic approach was used to measure serum uric acid (UA) using an automated device and HPLC technique was used to measure whole blood HbA1c.

Results: 108 patients were included in the research out of which, 67 were diabetics and 41 were pre-diabetics. A majority of the participants were males, with a mean age of 59.12±14.06 years. The serum uric acid was substantially greater amongst the patients with diabetes mellitus (6.76±3.1mg/dL) compared to participants with pre-diabetes (5.5±1.9mg/dL). The serum HbA1c and the serum uric acid have a mild positive significant association in diabetics.

Conclusion: There is a weak association of serum uric acid with HbA1c among diabetic patients. Diabetes mellitus patients have greater serum uric acid levels than those with prediabetes mellitus.