Assessment of Liver Aminotransferases and their Association in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Karnataka, India
Author(s): Mamatha BV*, Vijay Mahantesh S Samalad, Bhagyajyothi M Bhat, Vivian Dâ??Souza and Shrajanraj Shetty
Abstract
Introduction: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is the most common liver pathology seen in type 2 Diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients. This causes abnormality in the pattern of liver enzymes. Elevated levels of transaminases indicate ongoing liver injury. Objectives: To estimate and compare the levels of serum Alanine aminotransferase and Aspartate aminotransferase in T2DM patients and non-diabetics. Methods: The study method chosen was Analytical prospective study. The study participants were 50 T2DM patients and non-diabetic subjects respectively. Study was commenced after obtaining Institutional ethical committee approval. Serum levels of glucose, Aspartate transaminase (AST), Alanine transaminase (ALT), Cholesterol, Triglycerides were estimated in the subjects. Glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) was also estimated. Data was expressed in Mean ± Standard deviation. Independent student ‘t’ test was applied. For comparison of data, Pearson correlation was used. p value <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Levels of Fasting and postprandial serum glucose, AST, ALT, Cholesterol and Triglycerides were higher in T2DM compared to controls and were statistically significant. Mean AST in cases and controls were 31.76 ± 16.79 and 22.26 ± 9.04 U/L respectively. Mean ALT in cases and controls were 30.71 ± 15.29 20.05 ± 5.98 U/L respectively. Cases showed significant correlation of HbA1c with PPBS and serum cholesterol. Conclusions: NAFLD is prevalent in T2DM as a silent liver pathology. Our study demonstrated the elevation of liver aminotransferases in T2DM patients. Routine checkups should include estimation of liver enzymes in T2DM.