Association of serum leptin levels with body mass index, C- reactive protein and homocysteine in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction: Diabetes mellitus (DM), one of the most common global endocrine disorders is emerging as a growing health care problem. The risk of cardiovascular diseases is several folds higher in type 2 diabetics as compared to normal subjects.
Objectives: To determine the association of leptin with BMI, C-reactive protein and homocysteine in type 2 diabetics.
Materials & Methods: It was a cross sectional study conducted in Hayatabad Medical Complex (HMC) and Rehman Medical Institute (RMI), Peshawar. Study duration was six months. A total of 96 type 2 diabetics were enrolled in the study after taking informed consent. Serum leptin levels were determined and plasma levels of hs-CRP and homocysteine were measured. Data were analyzed by SPSS version 20. A p-value of ≤0.05 was taken as significant.
Results: Out of 96 subjects, 23 were males and 73 were females. The correlation of serum leptin with BMI was positive and significant (r=0.418, p=0.01). The correlation with HbA1c was also significant and positive (r=0.207, p=0.04). The correlation with duration of diabetes was also significant and positive (r=0.223, p=0.03). The correlation with hs-CRP was positive but not significant (r=0.249, p=0.467). The correlation with homocysteine was also positive but not significant (r=0.348, p=0.10).
Conclusion: There is a positive association between serum leptin levels and BMI. The study also concluded that there is a positive association of cardiovascular risk markers with serum leptin levels.
Keywords: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Leptin; C-Reactive Protein; Homocysteine; BMI.