Comparative electrolyte patterns in female type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Diabetes mellitus is a prevalent metabolic disorder in which dysregulated insulin action and chronic hyperglycemia can disrupt electrolyte homeostasis, a core regulator of vital physiological processes. This study profiled serum electrolytes in 116 women 60 with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and 56 apparently healthy controls. Ages ranged from 30-66 years in the T2DM group and 20-55 years among controls. Glycemic indices were markedly higher in T2DM, plasma glucose 187.83 ± 9.43 mg/dL vs 97.73 ± 6.30 mg/dL, and cumulative glycemia 12.83 ± 1.34 mg/dL vs 5.31 ± 0.25 mg/dL (controls). Among electrolytes, sodium was lower in T2DM while potassium and chloride were higher, though these differences were not statistically significant, sodium 120.02 ± 3.75 vs 141.27 ± 5.60 mmol/L, potassium 4.36 ± 0.61 vs 4.21 ± 0.31 mmol/L, and chloride 108.44 ± 9.25 vs 92.24 ± 10.77 mmol/L (T2DM vs control, respectively). In contrast, calcium was significantly reduced in the diabetic cohort (8.95 vs 10.65 mmol/L). In summary, women with T2DM in Maysan province exhibited poor glycemic control alongside electrolyte disturbance characterized chiefly by lower calcium levels compared with non-diabetic women.