Al Ameen Journal of Medical Sciences (Jan 2010)
Significance of C – Peptide in Type 2 Diabetics - A Study in the North Karnataka Population of India
Abstract
Back ground: Type II DM is a metabolic cum vascular disease and the burden of diabetes is its complications. It is imperative to address the basic biology of diabetes and not to simply treat the symptom complex. Aims and methodology: 1. To estimate the c–peptide levels in elderly diabetics to assess the endogenous insulin secretor function. 2. To know the correlation between obesity and insulin secretion. 3. Modification of treatment in poorly controlled diabetes. The cross sectional study was done in the diabetic outpatient clinic of a tertiary care hospital from Dec 2007 to May 2009. 75 type 2 diabetic patients were evaluated with their fasting plasma glucose, fasting c-peptide levels, HbA1c and BMI. Statistical analysis was done by chi square test and correlation. Results: The fasting c-peptide levels in the obese patients were increased compared to the non obese individuals, indicating insulin resistance. The fasting plasma glucose levels were elevated despite elevated c-peptide levels in the obese patients, proving the role of insulin resistance. The levels of HbA1c were increased more in obese patients indicating poor glycaemic due to insulin resistance. The fasting c-peptide levels decreased as the duration of diabetes increased. Conclusion: The fasting c-peptide levels are useful in type 2 diabetic patients with poor glycaemic control to assess the endogenous insulin reserve and to alter the modality of treatment. Very low c-peptide level indicates need for insulin treatment, and poor prognosis due to poor insulin reserve.
