Association of Glycemic Status with Clinico-Biochemical Parameters and Serum Tumor Marker Profiles in Adult Patients: A Cross-Sectional Study

Author(s): Abdul Razzaq, Mst Shahina Khatun, Md Shafiul Azam, Mohammad Abdus Salam, Mst Papiya Sultana Popy, Tamanna Khondokar Imu, Bhazan Chandra Majumder, Md. Mohibur Rahman, Rashidul Islam Dip, Md.Nahid Hasan

Background: Altered glycemic status is associated with metabolic disturbances that may influence routine biochemical parameters and serum tumor marker levels, potentially complicating clinical interpretation.

Objective: This study aimed to evaluate the association of glycemic status with clinico-biochemical parameters and serum tumor marker profiles in adult patients, with particular emphasis on sex-based differences and abnormality frequencies.

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, adult patients were evaluated for demographic characteristics, biochemical parameters, and serum tumor markers. Biochemical variables were compared between males and females and Tumor marker levels were summarized using descriptive statistics. Abnormal biochemical and tumor marker frequencies were calculated based on standard reference ranges and expressed as percentages. Correlation analysis and multivariable regression models were performed to assess associations between biochemical parameters and tumor markers.

Results: A total of 181 patients (126 males, 55 females; mean age 55.04 ± 16.51 years) were analyzed. Significant sex-based differences were observed for HbA1c (8.69 ± 2.14 vs 7.96 ± 1.79%, p = 0.020), serum urea (42.89 ± 28.99 vs 65.45 ± 64.79 mg/dL, p = 0.017), AST (30.91 ± 26.44 vs 44.69 ± 46.19 U/L, p = 0.044), total cholesterol (164.36 ± 48.94 vs 188.11 ± 57.85 mg/dL, p = 0.001), and LDL cholesterol (100.37 ± 37.98 vs 115.28 ± 37.92 mg/dL, p = 0.018). Tumor marker levels showed marked variability, particularly AFP (17.08 ± 119.21 ng/mL), CA-125 (32.26 ± 91.61 U/mL), and CA15-3 (11.9 ± 108.36 U/mL), whereas CEA (2.65 ± 4.49 ng/mL) and PSA (1.73 ± 3.55 ng/mL) were more stable. Abnormal AST (25.45%), CEA (27.27%), AFP (41.82%), and CA-125 (21.82%) were more frequent among females, while abnormal creatinine (29.37%) and PSA (56.35%) were observed exclusively in males. Multivariable regression revealed consistent positive associations between serum magnesium and CEA (β = 6.93, p < 0.001), AFP (β = 90.72, p = 0.036), CA19-9 (β = 82.72, p < 0.001), CA-125 (β = 93.69, p = 0.012), and CA15-3 (β = 70.27, p = 0.001), whereas serum calcium showed significant inverse associations with AFP (β = −238.47, p < 0.001), CA19-9 (β = −74.77, p = 0.005), and CA15-3 (β = −58.44, p = 0.013). Age was independently associated with CEA (p = 0.040) and PSA (p < 0.001).

Conclusion: Glycemic-associated metabolic alterations are linked to selective biochemical abnormalities and variations in serum tumor marker profiles, with notable gender-based differences.