A RETROSPECTIVE CASE CONTROL STUDY OF SERUM ZINC (Zn) LEVEL IN DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH COMPLICATIONS OF DM IN THANJAVUR MEDICAL COLLEGE

BACKGROUND Zn is an essential trace mineral directly involved in the physiology and action of insulin. Insulin is stored as Zn crystals in the β cells of the pancreas. It has been suggested that abnormal Zn metabolism may play a role in the pathogenesis of diabetes and some of its complications. Zn depletion has several potential clinical implications. It is speculated that Zn repletion could improve insulin sensitivity in patients with DM and reduce the severity of certain complications of this disease. In order to understand the underlying pathobiochemical interrelationships of the late complications of diabetics in more detail, this study was undertaken. The aim of the study is to- 1. Detect serum zinc level in patients with diabetes mellitus. 2. Compare the serum zinc level in newly-diagnosed diabetic patients and in those with complications. 3. Find out the relationship between zinc deficiency and complications of diabetes. MATERIALS AND METHODS Study Centre- Thanjavur Medical College and Hospital. Study Duration- 6 months. Study Design- Retrospective case control study. Sample Size- 100 patients (cases) and 50 controls. RESULTS There was no significant statistical variation in serum zinc levels between the various macrovascular complications. There was a significant negative correlation between HbA1c and serum zinc levels. It was also found in our study that compared to the newly-diagnosed patients with longstanding diabetes mellitus had lower levels of zinc. Also, patients with poor glycaemic control had lower zinc levels compared to the subjects with a better glycaemic control. CONCLUSION Diabetic individuals have significantly lower levels of zinc when compared to normal healthy individuals. Patients with longstanding DM have lower zinc levels than those who are newly diagnosed. Patients with poor glycaemic control have lower zinc levels compared to the subjects with a better glycaemic control. Zinc supplementation may have a therapeutic role in control and prevention of complications in DM. Further studies are needed to clarify this aspect.