ESTIMATION OF SERUM ZINC LEVEL IN NEWLY DIAGNOSED TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS PATIENTS

Background: There is an important role of zinc in the synthesis, storage and secretion of insulin and thus an important role in energy production. Zinc has antioxidant effect and is also component of many antioxidants. It inhibits formation of free radicals and damage by lipid peroxidation. Whereas oxidative stress plays an important role in the development of diabetic complications. Objective: Thus this study is designed to estimate serum zinc level and its correlation with HbA1c in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients from north eastern population. Materials And Methods: In this hospital based observational study done in department of General Medicine , Assam Medical College and Hospital 82 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients were selected and detailed history, physical examination and blood investigation including serum zinc estimation of all the subjects was done and the results were analysed. Results of zinc study: The mean serum zinc level of newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients with HbA1C level <8% was 59.82+/-13.12 microgram/dl , those with HbA1C level of 8-10% were having mean serum zinc level of 48.19+/-17.98 microgram/dl and those with HbA1C level >10% were having mean serum zinc level of 39.38+/-14.95 microgram/dl . There was a statistically significant negative correlation ( r - value = -0.38 and p value = 0.0004) observed between HbA1C level and serum zinc levels in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Conclusion: In this cross-sectional observational study done in the North-East population of India, we found that there was a reduction of serum zinc level in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and there was also a statistically significant negative correlation between HbA1C and serum zinc level in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients. Therefore, earlier detection of zinc deficiency in newly diagnosed Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus patients helps in controlling glycemic status and also helps in preventing complications.