COMPARISON OF SERUM LEVELS OF GLYCOSYLATED HAEMOGLOBIN AND FERRITIN IN TYPE 2 DIABETIC PATIENTS WITH AND WITHOUT DIABETIC RETINOPATHY

Background: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a major microvascular complication of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM) and a leading cause of vision loss. Elevated serum ferritin levels, an indicator of iron overload and oxidative stress, have been implicated in the progression of DR. This study aimed to compare serum levels of glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) and ferritin in T2DM patients with and without DR. Methods: A descriptive observational cross-sectional study was conducted from August 2022 to July 2023. A total of 72 diagnosed T2DM patients were selected and categorized into two groups: Group A (without DR, n=36) and Group B (with DR, n=36). Serum HbA1c and ferritin levels were measured and statistically analysed using Student's t-test, ANOVA, and correlation analysis. Results: The mean HbA1c level was significantly higher in patients with DR (8.37 ± 1.59%) compared to those without DR (5.85 ± 0.401%) (p<0.05). Similarly, serum ferritin levels were markedly elevated in DR patients (152 ng/mL) compared to non-DR patients (36.6 ng/mL) (p<0.05). Further subgroup analysis revealed a progressive increase in HbA1c and ferritin levels with the severity of DR, with the highest levels observed in patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). Conclusion: Elevated serum ferritin and HbA1c levels are significantly associated with the presence and severity of DR in T2DM patients. These biomarkers may serve as potential indicators for early detection and monitoring of DR progression.