Introduction
This paper evaluates an article titled ‘Low serum adiponectin levels in children and adolescents with diabetic retinopathy.’ In the evaluation, the paper will determine the various aspects discussed by the article. These include, the hypothesis in the article, the procedures used in sampling, the independent and dependent variables and the alpha level. The paper also determines the outcome of the study by stating significant results, and whether the null hypothesis was accepted or rejected. Two questions that would be asked to the researcher are also stated. Additionally, the paper states alternative independent and dependent variables that can be used for the same topic and the probable outcome.
Study Summary
This study was aimed at elucidating the role of leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α on the early detection of the microvascular complications experienced in type I diabetes. The chronic complications which are common in diabetes mellitus are experienced through angiopathic mechanisms and are seen 10-20 years following the first incidence of disease presence. Initial findings about late-stage complications, like neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy, begin during childhood and these conditions can be either delayed or prevented through the use of a viable metabolic control.
Null Hypothesis
There is no relationship between leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α with chronic diabetes complications.
Alternative HypothesisThere is a relationship between leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α with chronic diabetes complications.Sampling Procedures
A sample of sixty patients with type I diabetes were enrolled while the control group comprised of 28 healthy children. Considering the type I diabetes mellitus patients, the ones diagnosed five or less years before the study were analyzed against those who were diagnosed in a period past five years before the study; additionally, patients prior to attaining puberty were analyzed against those at puberty. The diabetes mellitus period was noted for all patients in the survey. Blood pressure was also measured using a mercury manometer. Additionally, 24-hour urine samples were collected.
Independent and Dependent Variables
In this survey, the independent variables were leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α, while the dependent variable was chronic diabetic complications.
Alpha level
In this study, it was found that there were increased levels of adinopectin in adolescen and children who had type I diabetes mellitus and low levels in patients with diabetic retinopathy. This would imply that the null hypothesis would be rejected and the alternative adopted. From the results, it was recommenced that patients having low levels of serum adiponectin and high levels of leptin need close monitoring for chronic complication development and better metabolic control.
The two questions I would like to ask the research is whether these results are applicable for different age. Additionally, I would like to enquire whether the obtained results considered gender and if not whether the researcher expected to obtain any difference in results.Suppose I was designing a study on the same topic, the independent variable would be age while the dependent variable would be leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α. The expected results from this survey would be that, male are more likely to be affected by leptin, adiponectin, IL-6 and TNF-α, as compared to women.
Reference
Tasci, E. Ozbek, M.N., Onenli-Mungan, N., Temeziz, F., Topaloglu, A. & Yuksel, B., (2011). Low serum adiponectin levels in children and adolescents with diabetic retinopathy, The Eurasian Journal of Medicine, 43, 18-22
