High Sensitivity C-reactive Protein Concentrations, Lipid Status And Duration Of Type-1 Diabetes

Background: Low-grade inflammation, duration of diabetes, hyperglycemia, and dyslipidemia in the presence of other traditional risk factors have been implicated in the development of vascular, neurologic, musculoskeletal and dermatologic complications observed in type 1 diabetes irrespective of other confounding factors. The study was aimed at assessing the relationship between hs-CRP concentrations, lipid status and duration of type-1 diabetes.Methods: Thirty-four patients aged 15-26 years comprising 14 females and 20 males diagnosed with type 1 diabetes ≤10 years duration, who at first clinical assessment and thorough medical examination presented with any or a combination of the symptoms of ketoacidosis, polyuria, polydipsia, malnutrition, blurred vision, paresthesia, body swelling and frothy urine at the Accident and Emergency Unit of Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, Jigawa Nigeria were enrolled for the study in a cross-sectional pattern after granting informed consent or obtaining assent from parents or guardians. Blood samples for lipid profile, fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and High sensitivity C - reactive protein (hs-CRP) measurement were collected from all patients through venipuncture after 10 hours overnight fast for biochemical testing. Lipid profile and FPG were assayed using enzymatic methods, hs- CRP via Enzyme Linked immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique and Urinalysis with point of care urine test strips. Data obtained was analyzed and presented as Frequency, Percentages, Mean ± SD and Pearson’s correlation with statistical significance at p≤0.05.Results: Patients biochemical characteristics were Fasting Plasma Glucose (9.86 ± 4.44), Total Cholesterol (4.77 ± 2.07), High Density Lipoprotein- Cholesterol (1.35±0.54), Triglycerides (2.17 ± 1.06), Low Density Lipoprotein- Cholesterol (2.29 ±1.49), hs-CRP (6.99 ± 5.44). Correlation matrix showed significant relationship between Triglycerides and hs-CRP (r; 0.378**, p; 0.005), Low Density Lipoprotein-Cholesterol and hs-CRP (r; 0.457*, p; 0.007). hs- CRP concentrations in relation to duration of type-1 diabetes were 1-3 years (3.57±4.10), 3-6 years (6.66±4.39) and 6-10 years (10.06±8.69).Conclusions: Evaluation of hs-CRP concentrations irrespective of lipid status may serve as an inexpensive method of predicting the risk of development of diabetic complications in resource poor settings among patients with established type 1 diabetes as the duration progresses.