Association between Serum Calcium Concentration and Glycated Haemoglobin in Type II Diabetic Nigerian Patients

Background: Diabetes is a metabolic disease that affects key biochemical parameters in the body. The study was carried out to evaluate the serum calcium concentration and the relationship between serum calcium and glycosylated haemoglobin in type 2 diabetics. Methods: A total of 126 subjects consisting of 63 Diabetic patients and 63 controls participated in this study. Serum calcium and glycosylated haemoglobin concentrations were measured. Fasting blood sugar was also measured. Total calcium was measured using colorimetric determination of plasma total calcium by the o-cresolphthalein o-complexone (CPC) assay principle. Plasma albumin was determined using Bromocresol green (BCG) method, and thus corrected calcium was deduced. Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1C) was estimated using an ion-exchange chromatographic method. A semi-structured questionnaire was used for data collection. Results: The mean serum calcium levels of diabetics compared to non-diabetics did not differ statistically even though that of diabetics was in the lower range of normal. There was no statistically significant difference (p=0.099) between the mean serum calcium levels of diabetic patients who had glycosylated haemoglobin values below 6.5 (2.26 mmol/l±0.07) and diabetic patients who had glycosylated haemoglobin values above 6.5 (2.17mmol/l±0.09). Surprisingly, there was a weak positive correlation between glycosylated haemoglobin levels above 6.5 and serum calcium levels (p=0.087) and HbA1C below 6.5 correlated negatively albeit weakly with serum calcium levels though they were both insignificant. Socio-demographic data show that more females were diabetic. Conclusion: Overall, the study reveals that mean serum calcium concentrations in diabetic and non-diabetic patients are not different and this may be due to good blood glucose control in these diabetic patients