Diabetic complications are associated with liver enzyme activities in people with type 1 diabetes

This study was performed to clarify if diabetic complications are associate d with liver enzyme activities in type diabetic outpatients. Elevated activ ities of serum aminotransferases are a common sign of liver disease and are observed more frequently among people with diabetes than in the general po pulation. Many studies have shown an association between specific diabetic complications and disturbances in various tissues, such as diabetic nephrop athy and cardiovascular diseases, but only limited data are available on th e possible association between diabetic complications: and liver function. We studied 28 patients with type 1 diabetes. h lean age was 43.4 +/- 9.5 (S .D.), and duration of diabetes 25.2 +/- 9.7. Limited joint mobility (LJM) w as assessed by the Rosenbloom's method. Background and proliferative retino pathy, and peripheral symmetrical polyneuropathy were also assessed. Activi ties of alanine amino transferase (ALT), gamma -glutamyl transferase (GGT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) in serum were determined. Thc metabolic cont rol of the diabetes was evaluated by the glycosylated haemoglobin A(1c) (Hb A(1c)) level and lipid values wore also measured. ALT activity was associat ed with LJM (P < 0.01) and with neuropathy (P < 0.01). Association between GGT activity and LJM (P < 0.01) and neuropathy (P( 0.01) were also found. G GT activity was also associated with the severity. of retinopathy (P < 0.01 ). None of these associations was explained by confounding effects of diabe tes duration, age, body mass index (BMI), HbA(1c) or alcohol consumption. I n conclusion, diabetic complications such as LJM, retinopathy and neuropath ); are associated with liver enzyme activities independent of alcohol consu mption. BMI and metabolic control of diabetes. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science Ir eland Ltd. All rights reserved.