Effect of Hyperglycemia on Serum Uric Acid Levels in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus.

BACKGROUND

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a significant public health problem, particularly in Nigeria, with increasing prevalence worldwide. Hyperglycemia in T2DM is associated with various metabolic disturbances, including alterations in uric acid metabolism. This study investigates the effect of hyperglycemia on the serum uric acid (SUA) levels in patients with T2DM.

METHODOLOGY: This cross-sectional observational study included 100 participants comprising 70 patients with T2DM and 30 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic individuals in the control group. Blood samples were obtained to measure fasting and postprandial plasma glucose and SUA levels. Statistical analyses were conducted to compare the groups.

RESULTS

A total of 100 participants were recruited for this study. The results indicated that diabetic patients had significantly higher fasting SUA levels (0.45 ± 0.16 mmol/L) when compared to the control group (0.28 ± 0.05 mmol/L, p = 0.02). Similarly, postprandial SUA levels were elevated in diabetic patients (0.58 ± 0.16 mmol/L) compared to controls (0.30 ± 0.06 mmol/L, p = 0.022). No statistically significant difference was observed between fasting and postprandial SUA levels within the diabetic and control groups (p>0.05).

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycemia in individuals with T2DM is significantly associated with increased serum uric acid levels. These findings show the clinical relevance of monitoring SUA in patients with type 2 diabetes.