Evaluation of metabolic biochemical parameters in complicated cases of type 1 and type 2 diabetes mellitus

Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a progressive metabolic disorder associated with considerable morbidity and mortality. Persistently elevated blood glucose level leads to both microvascular and macrovascular complications. The aim of this study was to compare patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes of similar age in terms of laboratory markers, complications, and risk factors. In this retrospective cross-sectional study, we analyzed data from 168 diabetic patients with complications referred to the Department of Diabetology, Nutrition, and Metabolic Diseases of the Emergency County Hospital, Târgu Mureș, between 01.01.2024 and 31.10.2024. The mean age of the cohort was 61 years, with no significant difference between the two types. Retinopathy was more common in patients with type 1 diabetes, whereas ischemic heart disease was more prevalent in type 2 diabetic patients. Among men, the incidence of peripheral arterial disease, Mönckeberg’s mediasclerosis, and amputation exceeded that observed in women. Patients with type 1 diabetes had significantly lower triglyceride, GPT, and GGT levels, but higher cholesterol, HDL, and LDL values. Conversely, patients with type 2 diabetes had significantly higher uric acid, urea, and triglyceride levels. In hypertensive patients, ischemic heart disease and nephropathy were significantly more frequent, while BMI, uric acid, urea, and creatinine values were higher than in non-hypertensives. BMI was significantly higher in patients with ischemic heart disease, while abdominal circumference (AC) was significantly higher in those with ischemic heart disease and polyneuropathy compared with those without. In obese patients, uric acid and triglycerides were significantly higher and HDL lower than in those with a BMI <30 kg/m². WC >94 cm in men was associated with significantly higher triglycerides and lower HDL; WC >88 cm in women was associated with significantly higher urea and GGT compared with those below the threshold. Higher HbA1c, GGT, uric acid and lower HDL were observed in case of alcohol consumption compared to the values of the abstainers. Smokers had significantly higher GGT values than non-smokers. These findings highlight the importance of modifiable cardiovascular risk factors in preventing complications.