Correlation of Serum Thiamine with Physical and Biochemical Parameters among Type 1 and Type 2 Diabetes

Objective: Thiamine or vitamin B1 is a fundamental vitamins and minerals and enzyme cofactor that are needed for most of the anabolic and catabolic reaction that occurs in organisms. Deficiency of Thiamine has been associated with numerous complications in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients. Therefore, this study was intended to assess various biochemical and anthropometric parameters with serum thiamine levels in patients with type I and type II diabetes.

Methodology: This was a case-control study carried out in outpatient department (OPD) of Diabetes Department of Jinnah post graduate medical institute, Karachi by using non-probability convenient sampling technique. This study comprised of 6 months duration after approval of synopsis. A total of 60 participants with type I and II diabetes mellitus of both genders with age < 25 to > 46 years were selected; 30 participants with type I diabetes whereas 30 participants had type II diabetes. The Pearson’s correlation test was used to interpret correlation between thiamine levels and height, weight, heart rate, temperature, Total cholesterol, Triglycerides, creatinine, urea in type I and II diabetic patients.

Results: The results showed that among type I diabetics, none of the patient characteristics studied were significantly correlated with the thiamine levels of these patients. On the other hand, among type II diabetics, significantly negative correlation was observed between height and thiamine level (p=0.045) where patients with greater height had lower thiamine level and vice versa. Moreover, both heart rate and total cholesterol were marginally insignificantly correlated with thiamine level (p=0.065 and p=0.069), respectively.

Conclusion: This study concluded that all anthropometric and biochemical parameters were insignificantly correlated with thiamine levels in type I and II diabetes patients. However, height had significant negative correlation with the thiamine level among type II diabetics reflecting patients with more height had lower thiamine level.