Introduction: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (Type 2 DM) constitutes a major public health problem. Zinc (Zn), a critical micronutrient in the human body, serves as a potent antioxidant, and is closely linked to the development and progression of Type 2 DM. However, limited evidence explored the speculated putative mechanism of Zn repletion improving insulin sensitivity and severity in patients with Type 2 DM.
Methods: Adult participants (aged more than 18 years) diagnosed with Type 2 DM (with or without microvascular complications) were recruited. A case recording form divided into Section A, socio-demographics, and Section B, clinical parameters, a brief clinical history and lab investigations, were logged for each patient.
Results: Majority of patients (n=44, 47.8%) were over 60 years old, with a nearly equal distribution of sex (n=47, 51.1% male and n=45, 48.9% female). Sensory motor (n=50, 54.3%) and visual disturbances (n=48, 52.2%) were the most commonly reported symptoms. Oral hypoglycaemic agents (OHA) were the most common drug treatment (n=56, 60.9%, p<0.001). A considerable number of patients had systemic hypertension (n=55, 59.8%) and neuropathy was the most prevalent complication (n=68, 73.9%), followed by retinopathy (n=53, 57.6%). Zn deficiency was prevalent in n=50, 54.3% of patients and it showed significant associations with poor glycaemic control, diabetic neuropathy (<0.001), retinopathy (<0.001), and nephropathy (<0.001).
Conclusion: We highlighted the high prevalence of Zn deficiency among Type 2 DM patients and established significant correlations between low Zn levels (<65 μg/dL) and poor glycemic control, as well as higher incidences of neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy. We advocate that Zn status should be considered in the management and treatment strategies for Type 2 DM patients to potentially mitigate complications and improve outcomes.
Keywords: diabetic microvascular complications; diabetic retinopathies; types 2 diabetes mellitus (t2dm); zinc supplementation; “insulin resistance”.
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