Serum leptin as an indicator of dyslipidaemia in non-obese type 2 diabetic patients: A cross-sectional study in Jordan

Abstract

Objective: This study evaluated how serum leptin levels are associated with lipid profiles in non-obese adults with T2DM in comparison to age- and sex-matched non-diabetic controls in Jordan.

Methods: In this hospital-based cross-sectional study, we analysed laboratory records from March to December 2024 for 60 non-obese (BMI <25 kg/m²) adults with T2DM and 60 non-diabetic controls, for age (40-70 years) and sex (30 males and 30 females per group). Data included BMI, FBS, serum leptin, TC, TG, LDL-C, and HDL-C. Between-group comparisons used independent t-tests. The study examined associations via Pearson's correlation along with a multiple linear regression analysis.

Results: The T2DM mean group was significantly higher FBS (340.29 ± 34.00 vs. 77.67 ± 4.27 mg/dL, p<0.001), TC, TG, and LDL-C, and lower HDL-C and serum leptin (2.83 ± 0.55 vs. 7.77 ± 1.65 ng/mL, p<0.001). Leptin correlated negatively with TC (r=-0.635), TG (r=-0.540), and LDL-C (r=-0.514), and positively with HDL-C (r=0.669) (all p<0.001). In regression analysis, independent predictors of leptin levels were FBS (β = -0.015, p<0.001) and HDL-C (β = 0.269, p<0.001).

Conclusion: Non-obese adults had lower serum leptin levels in T2DM Subjects and showed significant inverse associations with atherogenic lipids and a positive association with HDL-C. So, leptin may be a useful biomarker of dyslipidaemia in non-obese T2DM, warranting further prospective investigation