CLINICAL STUDY AND CORRELATION BETWEEN SERUM FERRITIN AND HBA1C IN TYPE 2 DIABETES MELLITUS AND ITS COMPLICATIONS

Abstract

Background: Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is frequently associated with
chronic inflammation and iron metabolism dysregulation. Serum ferritin, an acutephase reactant and marker of iron stores, may correlate with glycemic control and
diabetic complications.
Objective: To evaluate the correlation between serum ferritin and HbA1c levels in
patients with T2DM and to assess its association with diabetic microvascular and
macrovascular complications.
Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional analytical study was conducted at
Tertiary care centre at Ballari, including 102 T2DM patients aged 40–70 years.
Serum ferritin and HbA1c levels were measured using standardized methods.
Diabetic complications such as retinopathy, nephropathy, neuropathy, cardiovascular
disease (CVD), and peripheral vascular disease (PVD) were assessed. Statistical
analysis included Pearson’s correlation, t-tests, ANOVA, and logistic regression.
Results: Serum ferritin showed a strong positive correlation with HbA1c (r = 0.996
in males, r = 0.994 in females; p < 0.001). Patients with complications had
significantly higher ferritin and HbA1c levels (p < 0.001). Logistic regression
identified both ferritin and HbA1c as significant independent predictors of
complications. Good medication compliance correlated with lower HbA1c and
complication rates but not ferritin levels.
Conclusion: Serum ferritin is significantly associated with poor glycemic control
and diabetic complications. It may serve as a complementary marker to HbA1c in
assessing metabolic status and complication risk in T2DM patients.