HAEMOSTATIC PROFILE AND GLYCAEMIC CONTROL OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE TWO DIABETES MELLITUS IN SOUTH SOUTH NIGERIA

Abstract

Background: Thrombotic complications are the leading cause of mortality in
Diabetes Mellitus (DM), accounting for 80% of DM related deaths. This is due
to the fact that DM has been described as a hypercoagulable state with
reduced fibrinolysis. Haemostatic parameters of diabetics worldwide have
showed different results when studied. With an increase in the global and local
prevalence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), it was deemed necessary to
study some haemostatic parameters of T2DM patients in Akwa Ibom, South
South Nigeria to see if these parameters could predict the risk for thrombosis
in group studied.
Methods: The study conducted in University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, Uyo,
was an observational cross-sectional study that examined some haemostatic
profiles of some T2DM patients who attended the Diabetic Clinic of our
hospital. Forty-four subjects and forty-four controls who met the inclusion
criteria were recruited after informed, understood consent was obtained. Data
on socio-demographic information, history and physical findings were obtained
using interviewer based questionnaires. Relevant laboratory investigations
which included full blood count (FBC) by standard methods, Prothrombin Time
(PT) and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT), plasma Protein C
concentration was determined using ELISA kit from AssayPro USA and
glycated haemoglobin with Clover AIc self catridges and analyser from Infopia,
Korea.
Results: There were no differences in the physical characteristics of subjects
and controls. There were no differences in the haematocrit and total white
blood cell (WBC) of both groups though the subjects had a higher mean value.
The subjects had a significantly higher glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) (8.22%)
than the controls (5.66%), p value <0.05. There were no differences in the
platelet count, APTT and protein C. The subjects had a significantly shorter
mean PT (13.6 + 1.07 seconds) and International Normalized Ration (INR) (0.97
+ 0.08) compared to the controls (15.6 + 1.22seconds) and (1.04 + 0.09) p
values <0.05. These values were however within normal limits. No correlation
was found between glycaemic control and the haemostatic parameters studied.
The only factor associated with reduced protein C levels was an increase in the
total WBC.
Conclusions: The risk of thrombosis was not present in the population that
was studied.

HAEMOSTATIC PROFILE AND GLYCAEMIC CONTROL OF PATIENTS WITH TYPE TWO DIABETES MELLITUS IN SOUTH SOUTH NIGERIA