Determination of prothrombin time and activated partial thromboplastin time in newly diagnosed untreated cases of type-2 diabetes mellitus at the University of Nigeria teaching hospital, Enugu

Abstract

Background: Diabetes Mellitus is leading endocrine disorder of global interest. It is of multifactorial aetiology. Methods: Coagulation status of newly diagnosed and untreated diabetic patients from the Diabetes Medical out-patient Department of University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku Ozalla, Enugu State, Nigeria was studied. Seventy (70) newly diagnosed and untreated diabetic patients aged 20 - 60 years and 70 age and sex-matched non-diabetic controls were randomly selected after screening biochemically for diabetes mellitus, using standard glucometer. The 1997 World Health Organisation criteria for diagnosis of diabetes mellitus were used. Results: Prothrombin Time (PT), and Activated Partial Thromboplastin Time (APTT) were determined using Dacie and Lewis method. Body Mass Index (BMI) was also estimated. Only PT and BMI, showed statistically significant differences (PL 0.05) when the male mean diabetic values were compared with those of the female diabetic patients. Also, APTT, Fasting Blood Sugar (FBS) and BMI revealed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) when diabetic males mean values were compared with those of the control group. Furthermore, mean values of PT, APTT, FBS and BMI demonstrated statistically significant differences (P<0.05) between the female diabetic patients and their corresponding control. Conclusion: This study revealed that diabetes mellitus has adverse effects on coagulation, hence screening of diabetic patients for PT and APTT are recommended.

Keywords

• prothrombin time; activated partial thromboplastin time; newly diagnosed untreated; type 2 diabetes mellitus