Cracking the code: Glycated albumin and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein as early signals of heart risk in type 2 diabetes – An Indian perspective

Background: Glycated albumin (GA) and elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels have been identified with increased risks of cardiovascular diseases among type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients across the globe. Sikkim, a North-Eastern state in India, has a high population of diabetic and hypertensive individuals. Aims and Objectives: The current study is an attempt to determine the relationship between GA and hs-CRP levels against cardiovascular complications among T2DM patients. Materials and Methods: This observational cross-sectional, case–control study was conducted with 100 individuals, diagnosed with T2DM and cardiovascular complications, and enrolled at the Departments of Biochemistry and Medicine, Sikkim Manipal Institute of Medical Sciences and Central Referral Hospital, Gangtok, Sikkim, and were recruited through a non-random sampling method. The data regarding fasting blood glucose, postprandial blood glucose, lipid profile (triglycerides and low-density lipoprotein), hs-CRP, hemoglobin A1c, and GA were collected through blood samples between October 2014 and September 2015. The collected data were analyzed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (V 25.0). Results: The GA had a statistically significant difference among T2DM patients with and without cardiovascular complications (P=0.002). In other terms, GA can be understood as a valuable biomarker for predicting cardiovascular risks among diabetic individuals. Conclusion: Region-specific strategies should be devised to mitigate the cardiovascular disease risks among the diabetic population in the state of Sikkim. Socioeconomic-cultural aspects should be considered for strategic healthcare delivery since Sikkim, being a North-Eastern state in the Himalayan region, has a higher diabetic and hypertensive population than the rest of the country.