Comparative Analysis of High-Sensitivity C-Reactive Protein and Plasma Fasting Glucose Levels in Type 2 Diabetic Adults on Treatment and Non-Diabetic Adults in Enugu Metropolis

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus (DM) presents a rapidly escalating global health challenge, with substantial increases in prevalence, associated morbidity, and healthcare expenditures documented by authoritative organisations. Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with chronic low-grade inflammation, often reflected by elevated high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) levels. This study aims to evaluate high-sensitivity C-reactive protein levels in treated type 2 diabetes mellitus in Enugu, south-east Nigeria. This study compared demographic and clinical characteristics, particularly high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) and fasting plasma glucose (FPG), between diabetic and non-diabetic adults, and examined the correlation between hsCRP and FPG. The study was conducted from December 2023 to December 2024 in Enugu, southeastern Nigeria. One hundred and sixty participants were recruited for this study. The selection of each participant was made by simple random sampling. Data collected from the study were initially recorded and organised using Microsoft Excel 2016. Statistical analyses were subsequently performed using GraphPad Prism version 8.03 (GraphPad Software Inc., USA). A comparative cross-sectional design was employed, with demographic variables (age, gender, alcohol consumption, and smoking status) and clinical parameters (fasting plasma glucose, FPG, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein, hsCRP) assessed. Statistical analyses included independent t-tests for continuous variables, Chi-square tests for categorical variables, and Pearson’s correlation for associations, with significance set at p < 0.05. A total of 160 participants were included (80 diabetics, 80 non-diabetics). Age (p = 0.692), gender (p > 0.999), and alcohol consumption (p = 0.395) were similar across groups. However, smoking status differed significantly (p = 0.014), with a higher proportion of never-smokers in the non-diabetic group (78.75%, n = 63) compared to the diabetic group (57.5%, n = 46). The mean age was comparable between diabetics (48.66 ± 10.50 years) and non-diabetics (48.14 ± 11.04 years; p = 0.758). Notably, diabetics had significantly higher mean FPG (113.00 ± 20.03 mg/dl vs. 85.33 ± 15.17 mg/dl; p < 0.001)    and hsCRP levels (1.60 ± 0.71 mg/dl vs. 1.16 ± 0.65 mg/dl; p < 0.001). Furthermore, a statistically significant positive correlation was found between hsCRP and FPG (r = 0.518, p < 0.001). These findings demonstrate that individuals with diabetes exhibit elevated hsCRP and FPG levels. The observed significant positive correlation indicates that higher hsCRP levels are associated with increased FPG, suggesting that inflammation may play a role in poor glycemic control. Thus, monitoring hsCRP may provide valuable insights into the interplay between systemic inflammation and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes mellitus.