Changes in Serum Electrolytes, Urea, And Creatinine Levels in Diabetic Patients on Insulin Treatment in Enugu Metropolis, Nigeria
: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder associated with disturbances in carbohydrate, protein, and electrolyte metabolism, often complicated by renal dysfunction. Insulin therapy plays a central role in glycemic control; however, its influence on serum electrolytes, urea, and creatinine levels remains clinically relevant. This study evaluated changes in serum electrolytes, urea, and creatinine levels among diabetic patients receiving insulin therapy compared with diabetic patients who are not on insulin treatment in Enugu Metropolis. A total of 60 diabetic patients aged 18 years and above were recruited for the study, comprising 40 insulin-dependent diabetic patients and 20 non-insulin-dependent diabetic patients. Serum sodium, potassium, calcium, chloride, and bicarbonate were analyzed using the ion-selective electrode (ISE) method, while serum urea was determined using the urease Berthelot method, and creatinine was estimated by the Jaffe’s kinetic method. Data were expressed as mean ± standard deviation (SD) and standard error of mean (SEM). Comparison between the two groups was performed using Student’s t-test, with p < 0.05 considered statistically significant. The insulin-dependent group showed mean serum sodium of 140.20 ± 5.10 mmol/L, potassium 4.50 ± 0.45 mmol/L, calcium 2.45 ± 0.16 mmol/L, chloride 103.50 ± 5.10 mmol/L, bicarbonate 24.00 ± 2.30 mmol/L, urea 7.00 ± 1.80 mmol/L, and creatinine 95.00 ± 15.00 µmol/L. When compared with non-insulin-dependent patients, insulin-dependent patients had significantly higher levels of sodium, potassium, calcium, and chloride (P<0.05). Serum urea and creatinine levels were significantly lower in insulin-dependent patients (P<0.05). No statistically significant difference was observed in serum bicarbonate levels between the two groups (P>0.05). These findings indicate that insulin therapy is associated with significant alterations in serum electrolytes and improved renal function indices among diabetic patients. Monitoring of electrolytes and renal parameters is therefore essential in the management of diabetic patients on insulin therapy.