Cluster analysis of patient characteristics, treatment modalities, renal impairments, and inflammatory markers in diabetes mellitus

Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is caused by an interplay of various factors where chronic hyperglycemia and inflammation have central role in its onset and progression. Identifying patient groups with increased inflammation in order to provide more personalized approach has become crucial. We hypothesized that grouping patients into clusters according to their clinical characteristics could identify distinct unique profiles that were previously invisible to the clinical eye. A cross-sectional record-based study was performed at the Primary Health Care Center Podgorica, Montenegro, on 424 T2DM patients aged between 30 and 85. Using hierarchical clustering patients were grouped into four distinct clusters based on 12 clinical variables, including glycemic and other relevant metabolic indicators. Inflammation was assessed through neutrophil-to-lymphocyte (NLR) and platelet to lymphocyte ratio (PLR). Cluster 3 which featured the oldest patients with the longest T2DM duration, highest hypertension rate, poor glycemic control and significant GFR impairment had the highest levels of inflammatory markers. Cluster 4 which featured the youngest patients, with the best glycemic control, the highest GFR had the lowest prevalence of coronary disease, but not the lowest levels of inflammatory markers. Identifying these clusters offers physicians opportunity for more personalized T2DM management, potentially mitigating its associated complications.