Trace Element Assessment among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease: A Cross-Sectional Study in Nasarawa State Hospitals, Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease are associated with metabolic disturbances that may influence circulating trace-element concentrations. This comparative cross-sectional study assessed serum selenium, zinc, copper, and chromium levels among patients with diabetes mellitus, chronic kidney disease, and apparently healthy controls in selected hospitals in Nasarawa State, Nigeria. A total of 180 consenting participants were recruited, comprising 60 patients with diabetes mellitus, 60 patients with chronic kidney disease, and 60 controls. Each group included 40 males and 20 females. Demographic information was collected using a structured questionnaire, and ethical approval was obtained from the State Ministry of Health Headquarters, Lafia, Nasarawa State. Biochemical assessment involved the determination of fasting blood glucose and creatinine using the glucose oxidase method and Jaffe’s method, respectively, while serum trace elements were measured using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25.0, with analysis of variance used to compare trace-element levels across the groups. The reported findings showed differences in serum trace-element concentrations among the three groups, including the controls. The diabetes mellitus group showed higher mean selenium and copper concentrations (160.07 13.668 & 165.422 17.309) and lower mean zinc and chromium concentrations (50.186 13.668 & 0.658 0.145), compared with the controls (121.30 22.119 & 125.608 22.9156). The chronic kidney disease group showed lower mean selenium, zinc, copper, and chromium concentrations (88.93 ± 10.437, 59.588 ± 6.705, 58.132 ± 6.795, and 0.582 ± 0.145) than the controls (121.30 22.119, 91.656 11.879, 125.608 22.9156 & 1.045 0.186). These findings revealed altered serum trace-element profiles among patients with diabetes mellitus and chronic kidney disease in the study population.