Gender-Based Disparities in Glycemic Control and Bilirubin Metabolism in Type 2 Diabetes: A Multivariate Analysis from a Single-Center Study
Adiatuj Jahan Rimu
Adiatuj Jahan Rimu, Department of Public Health & Life Sciences, University of South Asia, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Faozia Zannat
Faozia Zannat, Department of Botany, University of Dhaka, Bangladesh,
Mst.Umme Habiba
Mst.Umme Habiba, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Md. Aliul Islam
Md. Aliul Islam, Department of Pathology, United Hospital Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Rubayed Islam Jarif
Rubayed Islam Jarif, Department of Environmental and Life Sciences, Independent University, Dhaka, Bangladesh
K.M.Lokman Nayan
K.M.Lokman Nayan, Department of Biochemistry And Cell Biology, Bangladesh University Of Health Sciences, Dhaka, Bangladesh
Md. Al-Amin Hossen
Md. Al-Amin Hossen, Department of Pathology, United Hospital Limited, Dhaka, Bangladesh
DOI: https://doi.org/10.59429/mmr.v3i2.11245
Keywords: Type 2 diabetes, Glycemic control, Bilirubin metabolism, Biochemical markers, Principal component analysis
Abstract
Background: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a rapidly increasing metabolic disorder worldwide, particularly in South Asia. Bangladesh faces a growing prevalence, with nearly one in ten adults affected. Beyond hyperglycemia, T2DM impacts renal, hepatic, lipid, and electrolyte metabolism. Sex-specific differences in biochemical profiles are increasingly recognized, but data from Bangladeshi populations remain limited. Objective: To evaluate biochemical profiles of adult patients with T2DM in Bangladesh, stratified by sex, and to explore interrelationships among laboratory indices using correlation and principal component analyses (PCA).
Methods: Routine biochemical parameters, including renal, hepatic, lipid, electrolyte, and glycemic markers, were analyzed in adult diabetic patients attending a single-center facility. Independent-sample t tests were used for group comparisons, Pearson’s correlation assessed associations between variables, and PCA was applied to identify latent patterns and dimensionality reduction.
Results: Most biochemical parameters showed no significant sex differences. However, males had higher HbA1c (9.46 ± 1.76 vs. 8.86 ± 1.42; p = 0.024) and bilirubin levels (0.76 ± 0.21 vs. 0.61 ± 0.21 mg/dL; p = 0.0005). Strong correlations were observed between urea and creatinine (r = 0.73, p < 0.001), AST and ALT (r = 0.64, p < 0.001), and between fasting blood sugar and both random blood sugar (r = 0.54, p < 0.01) and HbA1c (r = 0.52, p < 0.01). Albumin inversely correlated with urea (r = –0.39, p < 0.05). In the lipid profile, cholesterol was strongly correlated with both HDL (r = 0.75, p < 0.001) and LDL (r = 0.72, p < 0.001). Electrolytes showed weak or nonsignificant associations. PCA revealed moderate dimensionality reduction, with PC1 and PC2 explaining 13.9% and 12.4% of variance, respectively. HbA1c, bilirubin, and creatinine contributed most to sex-based separation, whereas lipids and electrolytes had minimal influence.
Conclusion: This study indicates that sex-specific differences in T2DM are primarily reflected in glycemic control and bilirubin metabolism, while most other biochemical indices remain comparable. Correlation and PCA findings emphasize the interconnected nature of renal, hepatic, and glycemic parameters, supporting their integrated evaluation in clinical management of diabetes.
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