Association between serum insulin and uric acid concentrations in type 2 diabetic subjects in Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Diabetic patients who are hyperuricaemic appear to be at increased risk for developing diabetic complications, renal disease, and cardiovascular disease. The present study was undertaken to determine the association between serum insulin and uric acid concentrations in individuals with type 2 diabetes and control subjects attending the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in Nigeria. One hundred and sixty (160) subjects with an age range of 30­75 years participated in the study 100 confirmed type 2 diabetes subjects and 60 non-diabetic controls. A significantly (p<0.05) high mean serum insulin was observed in type 2 diabetes subjects as compared with controls (9.3±2.0 vs 5.1±0.6 µlU/L). No significant difference (p>0.05) was observed in the mean serum uric acid of diabetic and control subjects (358±89 vs 334±66 µmol/L). There was a positive and significant correlation (r = 0.410; p<0.05) between serum insulin and uric acid levels in type 2 diabetes subjects. This may relate to the insulin resistance that characterises type 2 diabetes