HAEMOSTATIC PARAMETERS IN PERSONS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS IN JOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (JUTH) JOS

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder with
predisposition to thrombus formation. There are limited data available on the
haemostatic parameters of DM in this environment.

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study is aimed at describing the haemostatic
parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus in this centre. It also sought to
determine any relationship between haemostatic parameters and factors
associated with DM as well as the relationship between haemostatic parameters
and fasting blood glucose levels in DM.
METHOD: Fifty persons with DM in the endocrinology clinic were enrolled in the
study using convenience sampling. Fifty age and sex matched non diabetic
controls were also enrolled in the study from the family medicine clinic. Clinical
parameters (age, blood pressure, body mass index and the duration of disease)
were obtained. Samples of blood were collected for Full Blood Count (FBC),
determination of haemostatic parameters and biochemical assays. The FBC,
Prothrombin Time (PT), Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), Thrombin
Time (TT) and Fibrinogen Weight were determined in the Haematology
laboratory. Fasting blood glucose was determined using a glucometer while
Urea, Creatinine and Lipids were measured in the chemical pathology laboratory
of the hospital.

RESULTS: The differences in systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure
and body mass index were statistically significant between the diabetic and
control groups (P < 0.05). Haemostatic parameters in persons with diabetes mellitus were not
deranged, but there were statistically significant differences in the PT, APTT, TT
and Fibrinogen weight between the diabetic subjects and the controls (P < 0.05).
There were also statistically significant differences between total White Blood
Cell count, Platelet count, Erythrocyte Sedimentation Rate, serum Creatinine and
Lipids between the two groups (P<0.05) though all values were within normal
limits. The difference in Urea level was not statistically significant (P > 0.05).
There were weakly positive or no correlation between the haemostatic
parameters and factors associated with DM in persons with diabetes mellitus (r <
0.50, P>0.05). The correlations between the fasting blood glucose of persons
with diabetes mellitus and PT, APTT and Fibrinogen weight were weakly positive
(r < 0.50, P>0.05). Several factors associated with DM however related
significantly with haemostatic parameters when analysed in persons with
uncontrolled Diabetes mellitus.
CONCLUSION: In this study, haemostatic parameters in persons with DM are
significantly prolonged than the control values though within normal range. The
haemostatic parameters have little or no correlation with factors associated with
diabetes mellitus such as blood pressure, body mass index, age, serum lipids,
total WBC, Platelet count and duration of the disease. This study also showed
that uncontrolled glycaemia may enhance relationship between factors
associated with DM and haemostatic parameters.
RECOMMENDATION: Further studies on haemostasis such as factor assay in
diabetes mellitus are recommended to generate local data that may assist in the
management of persons with the disease in our setting.

HAEMOSTATIC PARAMETERS IN PERSONS WITH DIABETES MELLITUS IN JOS UNIVERSITY TEACHING HOSPITAL (JUTH) JOS