Study of Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) In Non-Diabetic Subjects with Subclinical Hypothyroidism.

INTRODUCTION: India has the higher prevalence of prediabetes, diabetes and hypothyroidism. Subclinical Hypothyroidism (SH) is more prevalent in the females than in the males. Studies have shown the elevated HbA1c in the non-diabetic hypothyroid patients. SH is defined by normal serum triiodothyronine (T3), thyroxine (T4) levels and serum Thyroid Stimulating Hormone (TSH) level falling between 4.2 to 10 mU/L. AIM: To study the HbA1c level in the non-diabetic SH patients and to compare the HbA1c level with the controls. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This case-control study was conducted on 200 subjects. A total of 100 subjects of the SH without diabetes were selected on the basis of the serum TSH (> 4.2 to < 10 mU/L), Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) (< 110 mg/dl) level and another 100 age and sex matched normal healthy individuals were selected as the control. The HbA1c levels were measured using Immunoturbidimetry method in the Cobas Integra 400 plus. An independent t-test is applied to find out the statistically significant difference in the level of HbA1c in the case and the control groups. RESULTS: Subjects with the non-diabetic SH had a significant higher level (5.70±0.35 %) of the HbA1c than the controls (5.26±0.17 %) (p<0.0001). There was no significant difference between the cases and the controls for the age, sex, FBS, vitamin D3, Haemoglobin (Hb), serum T3 and serum T4 levels. CONCLUSION: Our data suggest that the non-diabetic subjects with SH show misleadingly high levels of the HbA1c. Therefore, the effect of altered levels of the serum TSH on the HbA1c must be considered when interpreting the HbA1c for the diagnosis of diabetes in the SH patients.

Levels of Apolipoprotein A1, B100 and Lipoprotein (a) in Controlled and Uncontrolled Diabetic Patients and in Non-Diabetic Healthy People.

INTRODUCTION: Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is always a multifactorial metabolic disorder having a wide range of abnormalities in carbohydrate, lipid and protein metabolism. Dyslipidemia is a natural process of DM causing abnormal variations of different lipoproteins and it is one of the significant risk factors for Cardiovascular Disorder (CVD). There is a need to closely evaluate newer approaches in case of DM because even if dyslipidemia is treated, there is always a risk of CVDs in DM patients because of the hyperglycemia itself. So, lipid abnormalities should be assessed aggressively and treated as part of diabetes care. Apolipoprotein B100 (Apo B100), Apolipoprotein A1 (Apo A1) and Lipoprotein (a) {Lp(a)} are newer markers which are always welcome and necessary as many of the reported cases with normal conventional lipid profile have developed cardiac events. AIM: Study the correlation between glycemic control and the levels of Apo A1, Apo B100 and Lp(a). MATERIALS AND METHODS: Total 56 patients of (DM) diagnosed on the basis of American Diabetic Association guidelines were recruited, out of which 28 were identified as uncontrolled-diabetic patients and remaining 28 as controlled-diabetics on the basis of Glycosylated HbA1c (HbA1c). The control group consisted of normal healthy 28 individuals. Apo B100, Apo A1 and Lp(a) along with traditional lipid profile, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and HbA1c were estimated in all the subjects. RESULTS: Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio and Lp(a) levels showed highly significant difference (p-value <0.001) between uncontrolled diabetics, controlled diabetics and healthy Controls. Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio and Lp(a) showed significant positive correlations with HbA1c (r= 0.494, p <0.0001) and with each other. CONCLUSION: Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio and Lp(a) show a highly significant positive relationship with glucose tolerance of the patients as reflected in the HbA1c values. If proper glycemic control is maintained, the levels of Apo B100/Apo A1 ratio and Lp(a) can be controlled as reflected by the lower levels of these parameters observed in controlled diabetics in comparison to uncontrolled diabetics.

Urinary Uric Acid/Creatinine Ratio - A Marker For Perinatal Asphyxia.

BACKGROUND: Perinatal hypoxia is one of the leading causes of perinatal mortality in developing countries. Both apgar score and arterial blood pH predict the neonatal mortality in asphyxia. Apgar score alone does not predict neurologic outcome and as it is influenced by various factors. This study was conducted to evaluate the utility and sensitivity of urinary uric acid to creatinine ratio (UA/Cr ratio) in asphyxia diagnosis, compared to invasive Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) analysis. AIM: To assess the urinary uric acid/creatinine ratio as an additional marker for perinatal asphyxia compared with ABG analysis in apgar score monitoring. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The present case control study was conducted at a teaching hospital in Central Gujarat. Data of 40 healthy newborns and 40 asphyxiated newborns were collected. In absence of regional estimates, a sample of size 39 was required to attain a power of 80% at 5% alpha (type I error) considering a moderate effect size of 0.65. (UA/Cr) ratio was measured from the spot urine sample collected during 24-72 hours of birth. Statistical analysis was performed by Independent t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient (r) and Receiver Operating Characteristic (ROC) plots. RESULTS: The mean (UA/Cr ratio) (2.75±0.18 vs 1.78±0.23) is significantly higher in asphyxiated group than in the control group (p<0.0001). Urinary UA/Cr ratio had negative correlation with blood pH (r= -0.27, p=0.18), which was not significant (p>0.05). Urinary UA/Cr ratio with criterion of >2.3 had 100% sensitivity, 100% specificity with AUC of 1 (p<0.0001) had a better predictive value. CONCLUSIONS: Apgar score is usually reduced in neonates with congenital anomalies and premature neonates. Hence, it is preferable that the clinical diagnosis of asphyxia by apgar scores be supported by other investigations so that early decision can be taken about the level of care the baby needs. pH, lactates and base deficits change with establishment of respiration following resuscitation. However, pH, lactate, base deficit estimations are invasive and need rapid estimations. Non-invasive urinary UA/Cr ratio may be an answer to these issues as it easy, economical and equally efficient.

Combined evaluation of matrix metalloproteinases and their inhibitors has better clinical utility in oral cancer.

BACKGROUND: Oral cancer is a major health hazard worldwide with increasing incidence and mortality. Cervical lymph node metastasis is a major determinant of outcome in oral cancer. The matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) system is critically involved in invasion and metastasis. Assessment of MMPs and tissue inhibitors of MMPs (TIMPs) in certain combinations might have better clinical efficacy given their potential role in the metastatic process. AIM: Plasma concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 in 50 controls and 75 oral cancer patients (nonmetastatic, n=54; metastatic, n=21) were evaluated to assess their investigative value and role in predicting the behavior of this malignancy. METHODS: The plasma concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were quantified by ELISA. The best 2- and 3-marker combinations were calculated using the statistical software mROC. The diagnostic values for all the biomolecules as single markers and their combinations were estimated using the measures of diagnostic accuracy, i.e. the area under the ROC curve and the sensitivity and specificity at cutoff limits with the highest diagnostic accuracy and at the 95% limits of sensitivity and specificity, respectively. RESULTS: MMP-9, TIMP-1 and TIMP-2 were significantly elevated (p=0.000, p=0.013 and p=0.005, respectively) in oral cancer patients. MMP-9 emerged as the best single statistically significant marker in plasma for oral cancer detection. It showed an increase in diagnostic performance when tested in combination with MMP-2 and TIMP-2. The median plasma MMP-9 levels were elevated in both the metastatic and nonmetastatic groups compared with controls (p<0.004 and p<0.007, respectively). CONCLUSION: The results indicated that plasma MMP and TIMP levels in relevant combinations may facilitate clinical decisionmaking for improved management of oral cancer patients and may provide important data for selecting patients for treatment with drugs that interfere with MMP and TIMP activities.