Thyroid Function and Inflammatory Response in Subjects With Diabetes Mellitus in Edo South Senatorial District of Nigeria

Background: Diabetes mellitus is characterized by impaired glucose metabolism and a resultant effect of persistent hyperglycaemia. Type 2 diabetes also known as adult-onset diabetes is majorly caused by insulin resistance. The objective of this study is to determine the relationship between thyroid function and inflammatory response in subjects with diabetes mellitus in Edo South Senatorial district of Edo state, Nigeria. A total of 150 participants(100 subjects with diabetes mellitus and 50 apparently healthy individuals used as control) were recruited into this study. Participants were screened from Human immuno-deficiency virus, hepatitis B, Hepatitis C and sputum Acid Alcohol Fast Bacili using enzyme linked immune-sorbent assay (ELISA) and gene expert techniques. Inflammatory response markers, interleukin 10 and C-reactive protein, thyroid function markers; triiodothyronine and thyroid stimulating hormone were analysed using chemiluminiscence techniques.. The data were analysed using statistical software for social science version 23(IBM, Chicago IL, USA). Result: The mean value of C-reactive protein in diabetic subjects were significantly higher than in controls(P=0.001), while a non-significant decrease of interleukin-10 was observed in diabetic group as compared to the controls. For the thyroid hormones, there was a statistical significant decrease in Triiodothyronine in diabetics as compared to the control group, with a non-statistically significant increase in thyroid stimulating hormone. Correlation between thyroid hormones and inflammatory response markers showed a non-significant relationship. Conclusion: This study established that there is an accompanying inflammatory response in subjects with diabetes mellitus, as indicated by the significant increase in the pro-inflammatory cytokine, C-Reactive Protein and a non-significant decrease in the anti-inflammatory cytokine, Interleukin-10. The thyroid abnormality pattern predominantly observed in this study is subclinical hypothyroidism. The correlation analysis between assayed thyroid hormones and inflammatory response markers showed no significant relationship. As a way of mitigating the effects of diabetes mellitus, endocrinologists and other healthcare providers are advised to routinely recommend thyroid profiling and inflammatory response markers assay for diabetics and clinically address any derangements. This could better the treatment course of sufferers and ameliorate their burden.