Role of Cortisol and Growth Hormone in the Development of Ketosis Resistance in Malnutrition Related Diabetic Mellitus

Abstract

Malnutrition Related Diabetes Mellitus (MRDM), a separate clinical class of diabetes mellitus recognized by WHO Study Group on Diabetes Mellitus in 1985 exhibits peculiar metabolic characteristic of ketosis resistance. To explore the role of cortisol and growth hormone in the development of ketosis resistance, a cross sectional study was carried out involving 21 newly diagnosed MRDM patients, 19 NIDDM patients, and 16 age matched non-diabetic control at BIRDEM, Dhaka. MRDM patients presented with significantly lower Body Mass Index (P<0.001) and significantly higher level of serum glucose (P<0.001) in comparison to NIDDM and control subjects. The mean serum cortisol was significantly higher in MRDM and NIDDM subjects compared to that of control (P<0.05). Therefore, regarding cortisol, MRDM patients behave exactly like NIDDM patients The serum growth hormone levels were similar in MRDM, NIDDM and control subjects. So it can be suggested from the study that cortisol and growth hormone may not play any significant role in the development of ketosis resistance in MRDM patients. doi: 10.3329/taj.v18i1.3295 TAJ 2005; 18(1): 5-9