Serum Immunoglobulin Levels In Type 2 Diabetic Patients In Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital, Ghana

ABSTRACT The incidence of type 2 diabetes is on the increase and on-going research suggests that the increased concentrations of some circulating immunoglobulins among type 2 diabetic patients may be non-specific signs of the development of diabetic complications. Immunoglobulins, of which the most abundant are IgA, IgG and IgM, play an essential role in the body’s immune system by assisting in destroying foreign substances when they invade the body. Elevated immunoglobulin levels have however been strongly linked to the development and progression of diabetic complications. The aim of this study was to investigate serum levels of immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) in Ghanaian type 2 diabetics, and to identify factors that may be associated with the variation in immunoglobulin levels that may lead to diabetic complications. One hundred and ninety two (96 type 2 diabetic and 96 non-diabetic) subjects were recruited for the study. Diabetic subjects were contacted during outpatient clinic appointments at the National Diabetes Research and Management Centre, Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital. Matched non-diabetic controls were recruited from the catchment area. The immunoglobulins (IgA, IgG and IgM) and interleukin 6 (IL-6) concentrations were measured in subjects sera using commercially available ELISA assays performed according to manufacturer’s instructions. Blood chemistry, blood pressure, body mass index and waist circumference of subjects were assessed. Serum IgA (g/L) was higher in the diabetic than in the non-diabetic subjects (0.89 vs 0.74, p=0.043). Serum IgG (g/L) was also significantly higher in the diabetic compared with the non-diabetic subjects (7.58 vs 7.29, p