Retrospective correlation of fasting glucose and glycated hemoglobin with serum electrolytes, urea and creatinine in diabetic patients

ObjectiveTo assess the relationship of fasting blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin with serum electrolytes i.e. sodium and potassium, urea and creatinine in patients with diabetes mellitus for at least a period of ten years.MethodsOne hundred and forty diabetic individuals between the age group 45–70 who were diabetic since at least past 10 years and visited the outpatient department at Kasturba Hospital, Manipal. All the data were obtained from the Kasturba Medical College and Hospital records section. Potassium and sodium levels were estimated by ion selective electrodes indirect method (Cobas 6000). Fasting glucoses were estimated by hexokinase method, serum urea by urease method and serum creatinine by Jaffe's method (Cobas 6000). Glycated hemoglobins were estimated by ion exchange chromatography using HPLC Variant II Turbo.ResultsThe association between sodium with glycated Hb and sodium with fasting glucose is inversely related and their association were statistically significant. The association between potassium with fasting glucose, urea with fasting glucose and creatinine with fasting glucose was found to be statistically insignificant.ConclusionsHyperglycaemic hyperosmolar state in diabetes may influence the levels of various serum analytes such as sodium, potassium, urea and creatinine due to dilutional effects. Hence before interpretation of these results, it is suggessted that they have to be correlated with serum/urine osmolarity levels.