Relationship between C peptide and chronic complications in type-2 diabetes mellitus

The relationship between C peptide and micro- and macrovascular complications is poorly known in type-2 diabetes mellitus. The aim of the study was to evaluatethe relationship between serum C-peptide level and chronic complications in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.

Three-hundred-eighteen patients (138 male, 180 female) with type-2 diabetes mellitus were included in the study. Microvascular (nephropathy, retinopathy and neuropathy) and macrovascular complications (coronary artery disease and peripheral vascular disease) were determined in all patients. In addition, presence of hypertension and smoking habit was recorded. Fasting serum glucose, lipid levels, HbA1c and C-peptide levels were measured in all patients.

There were 90 (28.3%) patients with sensorial neuropathy, 48 (15.1%) with autonomic neuropathy, 72 (22.7%) with nephropathy, 84 (26.4%) with retinopathy, 135 (42.5%) with hypertension, 270 (84.9%) with dyslipidemia, 33 (10.4%) with coronary artery disease and 18 (5.7%) with peripheral vascular disease. Serum C-peptide level was higher in patients with dyslipidemia (p = 0.045), hypertension (p = 0.001), coronary artery disease (p = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.001) and autonomic neuropathy (p = 0.001). Serum C-peptide level was not significantly different in patients with and without sensorial neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy. Serum C-peptide level was significantly associated with the presence of coronary artery disease (p = 0.001), peripheral vascular disease (p = 0.001) and autonomic neuropathy (p = 0.001). There was no relationship between C peptide and sensorial neuropathy, nephropathy and retinopathy.

Our findings indicate a relationship between C peptide and macrovascular but not microvascular compli cations in patients with type-2 diabetes mellitus.