Comparison of Total Iron Binding Capacities between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Healthy Individuals

Background: Worldwide, diabetes mellitus (DM) is a leading cause of death and disability. Iron overload is increasingly being connected to insulin resistance in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Free iron causes the assembly of reactive oxygen species that invariably steer the body’s homeostasis toward oxidative stress-mediated diabetic complications. We have very limited research-based data regarding the total iron binding capacities in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. Aim of the study: The aim of the study was to compare the total iron binding capacities (TIBC) between type 2 diabetes mellitus patients and healthy individuals. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in the Department of Biochemistry, Dhaka Medical College (DMC), Dhaka, Bangladesh from July 2015 to June 2016. In total 100 participants were enrolled in 2 groups as the study subjects. In group A, in total 50 diagnosed patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) were included. On the other hand, in group B, 50 age and sex-matched healthy individuals were included. Properly written consent was taken from all the participants before data collection. All the demographic and clinical information of the participants was recorded. All data were processed, analyzed and disseminated by using MS Excel and SPSS version 23.0 program as per necessity. Results: In this study, the mean serum iron in group A and group B were 112.7 μg/dl and 87.6 μg/dl respectively. The mean serum ferritin concentration in group A and group B were 199.3 μg/dl and 107.0 μg/dl respectively. There was a statistically significant increase in serum iron and serum ferritin concentrations in group A compared to group B. Both serum ferritin and serum iron levels showed strong positive correlations with HbA1C ((r=0.724, p<0.001, r=0.724, p<0.001) and FPG (r=0.724, p<0.001, r= 0.724, p<0.001). The mean TIBC level was found 184 μg/dl in group A and 318.8 μg/dl in group B. In analyzing the total iron binding capacities (TIBC) between the groups we observe that the TIBC (µg/dl) levels in group A and group B were 184.0±79.5 and 318.8 ± 14.0 µg/dl respectively. The TIBC levels were significantly lower in group A than in group B (<0.001). Conclusion: The total iron binding capacity level is significantly lower in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients than that in healthy individuals. Routine screening for iron status along with glycemic control in diabetic patients might help prevent complications in such patients.