CORRELATION OF LEVELS OF FOLATE, VITAMIN B12, HEPCIDIN, AND SOME IRON INDICES WITH ANTHROPOMETRIC PARAMETERS IN TYPE-2-DIABETIC AND NON-DIABETIC SUBJECTS.

Abstract

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex metabolic disorder frequently associated with iron and other micronutrient metabolism dysregulation. Anthropometric parameters, such as body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and hip circumference, may influence some micronutrients and iron indices through adiposity-related metabolic disturbances. This study evaluated the relationship between anthropometric indices and vitamin B12, folate, and selected iron indices (hepcidin, ferritin, serum iron, total iron-binding capacity (TIBC), transferrin saturation (TSAT), and transferrin) among individuals with T2DM at Nnamdi Azikiwe University Teaching Hospital (NAUTH), Nnewi, Nigeria. A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 80 subjects with type 2 diabetes and 80 age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls. Anthropometric parameters including height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, and hip circumference were measured using standard procedures. Serum levels of vitamin B12, folate, hepcidin, ferritin, iron, TIBC, and transferrin were analyzed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and spectrophotometric methods. Data were analyzed using Pearson’s correlation and independent t-tests, with significance set at p < 0.05. The findings showed that the mean BMI, weight, and waist circumference were significantly higher in the diabetic group than in the non-diabetic group (controls) (P<0.001 respectively). A significant weak positive correlation was observed between BMI and transferrin among the non-diabetic subjects (P = 0.022) but not among the diabetic group. However, no significant correlation was observed between BMI and other parameters in the diabetic and non-diabetic groups (P > 0.05). Similarly, no significant correlation was observed between waist circumference and vitamin B12, folate, hepcidin, and other iron indices (P > 0.05). This study has identified that diabetic subjects exhibited significantly higher measures of adiposity compared to controls, and anthropometric indices showed no significant correlation with hepcidin or iron status markers. These findings imply that iron dysregulation in T2DM may be influenced more by factors other than body composition.