Serum uric acid in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Uric acid is elevated in type1 diabetes mellitus. It has also been associated with diabetic complications. Objectives were to study the significance of glycemic control and serum uric acid levels in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and to correlate between duration of diabetes and serum uric acid levels in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus. 50 cases with type 1 diabetes mellitus with 50 age and sex matched controls were selected and Serum uric acid (SUA) levels were estimated by the uricase method. Our results showed significantly increased levels of SUA levels in type 1 diabetic cases mean 3.62mg/dl compared to controls mean 2.11mg/dl. SUA was also significantly increased in poor glycemic control (HbA1c >10) mean 4.33mg/dl. The mean SUA levels in diabetes with more than 10 years duration is 5.16±1.89. It was concluded that increased levels of serum uric acid levels are seen in type 1 diabetic patients irrespective of age and sex. In poorly controlled diabetics the serum uric acid was significantly increased. There was significant increase of serum uric acid in diabetic patients of more than 10years duration indicating chronic complications. So large number of studies is required to conclude that serum uric acid can be an early marker for diabetic complications, but this can be used as a prognostic marker along with other markers.