CRP, AN INFLAMMATORY BIOMARKER IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS

Objective: To find out hs-CRP levels in type 2 diabetic patients with and without CHD and to further evaluate association of hs-CRP with glycosylated hemoglobin and lipid profile. Methodology: A cross- sectional / analytical study was conducted. Group A comprised of 100 type 2 diabetic patients without CHD and Group B comprised of 100 type 2 diabetic patients with CHD. All the patients were randomly selected from Khyber teaching hospital (KTH) and Hyatabad Medical Complex (HMC). Blood Glucose, Glycosylated Hemoglobin, Lipid profile and hs-CRP levels were assessed. Results: The mean hs-CRP, FBS and glycosylated hemoglobin values were significantly (P 0.05) high in type 2 diabetic patients having CHD than type 2 diabetic patients without CHD. Moreover, hs-CRP also showed a significant (P 0.05) positive association with FBS and HbAlc and negative association with HDL-C (P 0.05). Conclusion: Raised levels of plasma hs-CRP in type 2 diabetic patients may contribute to ongoing atherosclerotic processes leading to the development of coronary heart disease in these patients and this can be used as a marker of development of atherosclerosis in patients with diabetes mellitus.