Abnormal serum levels of liver enzyme markers and related risk factors in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients attending the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon

Abstract

The prevalence of type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) is increasing globally. Besides the traditional complications associated with T2DM, such as diabetic retinopathy, neuropathy, and kidney diseases, new complications including liver diseases, are increasingly being documented. This study aimed to examine serum biomarkers of liver injury and the related risk factors in T2DM patients at the Buea Regional Hospital, Cameroon. The sociodemographic, clinical, and behavioral characteristics of patients with T2DM were captured using a structured questionnaire. Anthropometric parameters were measured, and the Body Mass Index was calculated. Blood samples were analyzed for biomarkers of liver damage (ALT, AST, GGT, and ALP), considering a liver enzyme profile abnormal if it had more than 2 abnormally elevated values. Bivariate and multivariate logistic regressions analysis were used to identify risk factors, with significance set at P < 0.05. Among the 170 participants recruited, 75.9% were female. The median age was 62 years. Over half (52.9%) were married, 64.7% attended primary school and 55.3% were retired. Also, 59.4% had diabetes for over five years and all reported knowledge of diabetes care. About 73.3% adhered to their medication, 64.7% consumed alcohol, 28.8% smoked tobacco, with 22.4% engaged in physical activity and 77.6% with comorbidities. Blood sugar monitoring was practiced by 80%, with 66.5% having high blood pressure. Healthy weight individuals were 31.2% while 41.2% were obese and 56.5% had abnormal liver enzyme profiles. Five factors: duration of illness, physical inactivity, tobacco smoking, comorbidities and overweight/obesity were significantly (P < 0.05) associated with abnormal liver enzyme profile. Our findings identify risk factors linked to elevated liver enzyme markers indicating liver injury in T2DM patients.