Abnormal liver enzymes (aminotransferases)‎ in a sample of Iraqi patients with type two diabetes mellitus

Abstract EN

Objective : Diabetes mellitus (DM) is known to be associated with a number of liver disorders, the extent of liver enzyme abnormality in diabetes mellitus (type 2) in Iraq is unknown.

The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of liver enzymes abnormality in a sample of Iraqi (type 2) diabetic patients and determine associated risk factors.

Methods : A study was carried out on one hundred patients with known history of diabetes mellitus (type 2) admitted to the general ward of Al-Yarmouk Teaching Hospital from the first of May 2010 to the end of November 2010.

The patient age ranged between 30-75 years (mean age 63 ± 2.9).

Forty seven patients were males and fifty three patients were females.

Body mass index, lipid profile, and hepatic enzyme levels with screening for viral hepatitis infection (C and B) and alcohol history was obtained and other metabolic illnesses were recorded.

Abdominal examination with determination liver span was also performed, ultrasonography was performed to all patients.

Results : Overall, the prevalence of elevated alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels was 9 % (n = 9) with the gender-wise prevalence being 10.6 % (n = 5) in men and 7.5 % (n = 4) in women.

The prevalence of elevated aspartate aminotransferase (AST) was 6 % (n = 6) with the gender-wise 7.1 % (n = 3) in men and 7.1 % (n=3) in women.

Only 4 % (n = 4) show elevation of both ALT and AST.

Male gender and high waist circumference were associated with an increase level of ALT.

Younger patients had a higher tendency to ALT elevation compared to those who were >75 years.

Conclusions : Elevated ALT and AST levels are found in 9 % and 6 % of our type 2 diabetic patients respectively.

Male genders, younger age, higher waist circumference -as an indicator of central obesity- and abnormal lipid profile and enlarged liver by abdominal ultrasound are predictors of elevated liver transaminase levels.