Glucose and amylase activity in HIV and diabetic patients.

ABSTRACT

Diabetes Mellitus which develops as a result of insufficient insulin level in the body or insulin resistance to glucose, ultimately progresses to various complications like retinopathy, nephropathy, angiopathy and neuropathy. Abnormalities in the levels of glucose and amylase have always being linked to pancreatic diseases. We decided to venture into other possible disease conditions which might affect the two biochemical parameters (Glucose and amylase activity). We therefore looked at the effect of Diabetes and HIV on blood amylase activity and glucose concentration by assessing two hundred and twenty subjects who were randomly selected. Fifty patients were used for each group of diabetic not on drugs, diabetic on drugs, HIV patients not on drugs and HIV on drugs. Twenty healthy individuals served as control. The age of the subjects used was of 50±15 years all within Aba Metropolitan. .Five ml of blood was collected for the analysis of Glucose and amylase activity using standard biochemical methods. Data were analyzed for the statistical significance using one way ANOVA .In our study, we found that the concentration of glucose declined significantly in HIV patients not on drugs but the activity of amylase was remarkable increased in the same patients compared to control <0.05. Apparently, the activity of amylase was highest in diabetic individuals on drug compared to other groups studied. In conclusion serum amylase activity was remarkably elevated in diabetic patients and so estimation of serum amylase may possibly aid in the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus. Again from the result, there is need for both the diabetic and HIV patients to regularly check their blood sugar to prevent either hyperglycemia or hypoglycemia.