Transaminases profile in Algerian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Summary Elevations of aminotransferase are frequently encountered in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, and these perturbations are mostly attributed to fatty infiltration of the liver. The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of elevated aminotransferase in a cohort of Algerian patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus and determine the relation of this elevation to different metabolic parameters. One hundred and thirty-seven patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (47 males and 90 females) were included in the study. Elevations in aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were found in 6.5% (n = 9) and 8.7% (n = 12) of our patients respectively. Male gender (OR = 2.97, CI: 0.88–9.95), and high triglycerides levels (OR = 2.03, CI: 0.58–7.09) were associated with increased risk of elevated ALT levels. The prevalence of elevated AST level increased with increased age (OR = 2.09 for patients aged 25–45 and OR = 2.77 for those who were over 65 years old) and increased triglycerides levels (OR = 8.51, CI: 1.03–70.07). The prevalence of elevated aminotransferase in our study was in accordance with previously reported high prevalence rates of aminotransferase elevation in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus in other populations. These findings provide support to the practice of routine liver function monitoring in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus.