The effect of glycaemic control on cortisol levels in type ii diabetics in University Of Calabar Teaching Hospital.

Abstract

Background:A high prevalence of subclinical hypercortisolism has been suggested in patients with type II diabetes mellitus with poor metabolic control and several observations have suggested that in type II diabetes patients, subclinical hypercortisolism may be more frequent than previously expected, however, results are inconclusive. 

Objectives: This study investigated the effect of glycemic control on serum cortisol levels in type II diabetics. 

Materials And Methods: The levels of serum cortisol, fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin were estimated in fifty five (55) type II diabetic patients attending the Diabetic Clinic of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar and thirty three (33) non-diabetic controls. Consecutive sampling method was used. Serum cortisol was determined using enzyme immunoassay; fasting plasma glucose using colorimetric method and glycated haemoglobin using cation-exchange resin separation method. 

Results: The mean serum cortisol levels were significantly higher in diabetics as compared to the controls. The diabetics with poor glycemic control had significantly higher mean fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin compared to those with good glycemic control. However, there was no significant difference in the mean cortisol levels between the diabetics with poor control and those with good control. 

Conclusion: The diabetics in this study had elevated levels of serum cortisol. Cortisol levels in the diabetics were not affected by glycemic control