Serum Calcium and HbA1c Levels in Sudanese Patients with Type II Diabetes mellitus: is there any correlation?

Abstract

Background: By influencing the production and release of insulin from the pancreatic beta cells, calcium ions have a significant impact on glycemic control. Calculating calcium levels is crucial for tracking insulin secretion because hypocalcaemia in non-diabetic individuals is linked to impaired insulin release. The purpose of this study was to measure serum calcium levels and compares them to HbA1c levels in Sudanese patients with type II diabetes who reside in Khartoum State.

Methods: At the Al-Amal Diabetes Center, 60 Sudanese patients with type II diabetes were the subjects of a cross-sectional hospital-based study conducted between March and June 2021. Demographic information, the length of diabetes, the kind of treatment, and co-morbidity were all covered by a standard questionnaire. Using the Mindray B 300 device, the HbA1c and serum Ca2+ were measured. SPSS version 25 was used to analyze the data.

Results: The participants' mean age was 56.8±13 years. Of the participants, two thirds are men. The average duration of diabetes was 12.0±8.8 years. The results showed that the mean HbA1c was 8.2± 2.5 % and the mean serum Ca2+ was 8.5± 0.4 mg/dl.   HbA1c and serum Ca2+ did not show any discernible correlation (r = 0.104 and P = 0.429). Serum Ca2+ levels did not significantly correlate with the participants' ages or the length of time they had diabetes mellitus.

Conclusion: The results of this study showed that neither the duration of the DM nor the HbA1c were significantly correlated with the serum Ca2+ level. These results need to be confirmed by a more extensive investigation.