Key biomarkers in type 2 diabetes patients: A systematic review

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is not just a local health issue but a significant global health burden, affecting patient outcomes and clinical management worldwide. Despite the wealth of studies reporting T2DM biomarkers, there is an urgent need for a comparative review. This review aims to provide a comprehensive analysis based on the reported T2DM biomarkers and how these are linked with other conditions, such as inflammation and wound healing. A comparative review was conducted on 24 001 study participants, including 10 024 T2DM patients and 13 977 controls (CTL; age 30–90 years). Four main profiles were extracted and analysed from the clinical reports over the past 11 years: haematological (1084 cases vs. 1458 CTL), protein (6753 cases vs. 9613 CTL), cytokine (975 cases vs. 1350 CTL) and lipid (1212 cases vs. 1556 CTL). This review provides a detailed analysis of the haematological profile in T2DM patients, highlighting fundamental changes such as increased white blood cells and platelet counts, accompanied by decreases in red blood cell counts and iron absorption. In the serum protein profile, a reduction in albumin and anti-inflammatory cytokines was noted along with an increase in globulin levels and pro-inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, changes in lipid profiles were discussed, specifically the decreases in high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and the increases in low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and triglycerides. Understanding the changes in these four biomarker profiles is essential for developing innovative strategies to create diagnostic and prognostic tools for diabetes management.