Value of C-reactive protein & IL-6 measurements in type I diabetes mellitus

Abstract EN

Background: The role of non-specific inflammation in β-cell loss in type 1 diabetes is unclear.

In the present study, inflammatory markers were determined in patients with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and related to conventional risk factors for cardiovascular disease.

Objective: To determine the level of high sensitive CRP (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as markers of inflammation in type I diabetes mellitus and to investigate their determinants in type1diabetes and their correlation with conventional risk factors for cardiovascular problems.

Method : Plasma C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) were measured in 70 young patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Forty patients were controlled on intensive insulin therapy (group I), while 30 patients were not controlled on intensive insulin therapy (group II).

These results were compared to 30 age and sex matched control group.

Patients were also tested for HbA1c, Body Mass Index (BMI), serum lipids, presence of hypertension, family history of type 2 diabetes and history of premature cardiovascular illness, which are all considered risk factors for cardiovascular problems.

Results : Diabetic patients have significantly higher levels of hs-CRP and IL-6 than the controlled non diabetic group (p-value < 0.001, < 0.05 respectively).

Uncontrolled diabetic group has significantly higher levels of hs-CRP & IL-6 than the controlled diabetic group (p-value < 0.000).

Serum level of IL-6 is positively correlated to hs-CRP (r = 0.926, p < 0.0001).

Hs-CRP and IL-6 are positively correlated to HbA1c, BMI, total cholesterol (p < 0.000), LDL (p < 0.0001), triglycerides (p < 0.000), while HDL was negatively correlated to both hs-CRP and IL-6 (p < 0.000).

There was a significant higher incidence of hypertension, family history of cardiovascular disease and family history of type 2 diabetes in the uncontrolled diabetes group (p < 0.000).

Hs-CRP and IL-6 are significantly higher in patients with family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (p < 0.005) .

Conclusion : In type I diabetes there is increase in inflammatory markers, hs-CRP and IL-6 denoting subclinical chronic inflammation.

These markers are significantly correlated with conventional risk factors for vascular disease namely hypertension, dyslipidemia, high body mass index and glycemic control.

Type 1 diabetes patients with a positive family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus have higher hs-CRP and IL-6 levels indicating that they are more prone to cardiovascular complications.