Assessment of Serum Adenosine Deaminase (ADA) Levels as a Predictive Marker for Diabetes Mellitus in Obese Individuals: A Case–Control Study at a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Background: This study investigated serum adenosine deaminase (ADA) as a potential biomarker for metabolic dysfunction in obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods: A case-control study was conducted with 160 participants (40 per group): Group 1:- non-obese T2DM (BMI <25 kg/m²), Group 2:- obese non-diabetic (BMI ≥25 kg/m²), Group 3:- non-obese healthy controls (BMI <25 kg/m²), and Group 4:- obese T2DM (BMI ≥25 kg/m²). ADA levels and glycemic parameters (FBS, PPBS, HbA1c) were analyzed using ANOVA with Tukey's post-hoc test. Results: ADA levels were significantly elevated in obese groups (Group 2: 22.33±16.09 U/L; Group 4: 27.15±20.73 U/L) versus non-obese groups (Group 1: 13.71±6.18 U/L; Group 3: 10.41±4.71 U/L; p<0.01). Obese T2DM showed highest ADA (p<0.001 vs all groups). Notably, obese non-diabetics had higher ADA than healthy controls (p<0.01), while glycemic parameters remained normal. Conclusion: Elevated ADA in obese individuals, particularly before diabetes onset, suggests its potential as an early metabolic dysfunction marker. These findings support ADA's role in obesity-related inflammation and insulin resistance.