Type 2 diabetes with and without hypertension in a north indian population: a descriptive study

Introduction: Type 2 DM is a disorder of global magnitude and is now considered a major health challenge in the developing countries. The complex correlation between glucose intolerance, hypertension and obesity, as seen in metabolic syndrome, points towards a possible relationship between hypertension and diabetes mellitus. Studies on the subject have shown mixed results in western populations. The Indian scenario remains obscure with little work on the subject.
Methods: A cross sectional study was done in MMIMSR, Mullana, Ambala in which descriptive data was collected and serum insulin, c-peptide, fasting blood glucose levels were estimated on 50 diabetic hypertensives and 50 diabetic normotensives. Statistical analysis of the data was done by SPSS and MS Excel.
Results: In our study we found that hypertensive status of the patients was significantly associated with duration of diabetes (P=0.001) and BMI. (P=0.003). We also found elevated levels of insulin and c-peptide in diabetic patients with their mean levels being 11.24±10.57 μIU/ml (reference interval = 0-10 μIU/ml). and 2.59 ± 1.45 ng/ml (reference interval = 0.78-1.89 ng/ml) respectively. Hypertensive patients had mean serum C-peptide levels of 2.72 ± 1.57 (median 1.9 interquartile range 2.4). Normotensive patients had serum C-peptide levels of 2.45±1.31 ng/ml (median 2.1, interquartile range 1.2). The difference was statistically insignificant (P=0.449). No relationship could be elucidated between hypertension and serum insulin levels either. (P = 0.212).
Conclusion: The descriptive parameters in our study were in accordance with the norms. Hypertensive status of the patients was significantly associated with duration of diabetes and BMI. Although insulin, c-peptide levels were raised, no association with hypertension could be elucidated. This could possibly be because beta cell activity tends to vary considerably in different populations. Studies with a broader patient base could throw further light on the subject and are a need of the hour.