Evaluation of Macro Minerals in Patients with Type II Diabetes Mellitus in Southern Nigeria

Aims: To evaluate serum sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, magnesium, phosphorus and sulphur in patients with type II DM and compare with non-diabetic subjects.

Study Design: A cross sectional study.

Place and Duration of Study: Department of Chemical Pathology, Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti and Federal Medical Centre, Ido Ekiti, Ekiti State, between April 2013 and February 2014.

Methodology: This study was conducted on 150 subjects, out of which 100 were type II diabetes mellitus patients and 50 were non diabetic (control) subjects. Glucose level was determined by Glucose oxidase –Peroxidase method, serum calcium, potassium, sodium and chloride concentrations were measured using Biolyte Spin 6, Full Automated Electrolyte Analyzer while magnesium was analyzed by Atomic Absorption Spectrophotometry. Phosphorus concentrations was determined by spectrophotometer using BioSystem reagent kit specific for phosphorus and Sulphur concentrations were measured using auto analyzer.

Results: The results showed that sodium, potassium, chloride, calcium, phosphorous and magnesium were significantly lower (P˂.001) in diabetic subjects when compared with the control subjects whereas the mean sulphur concentration was significantly higher (P˂.001) in diabetic subjects when compared with the non-diabetic (control) subjects.

Conclusion: This study showed Impair metabolism of macro minerals in diabetic group which result in variations in the levels of these minerals in diabetic male and female as well as in different diabetic age groups when compare with non-diabetic group.