Relationship between Fasting Blood Sugar and Some Haematological Parameters in Diabetic Patients Attending Nigerian Navy Reference Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria

Background of Study: Diabetes mellitus is a clinical syndrome characterized by hyperglycemia due to absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. Lack of insulin, whether absolute or relative, affects the metabolism of carbohydrate, protein, fat, water and electrolytes (Sacks, 2013). Gestational Diabetes develops usually in the second or third trimester, as a result of hormones secreted by the placenta, which inhibit the action of insulin. A survey in Cross River State (CRS) gave a prevalence of Diabetes Mellitus (DM) at 6.5% in the age group 20 and above. This translates to an estimated 97,500 Diabetics within the population of 3 million.

Aim of Study: This study evaluated fasting blood sugar and some haematological parameters in patients with diabetes mellitus visiting Nigeria Navy Reference Hospital Calabar, Cross River State, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This cross sectional study evaluated a total of one hundred (100) subjects (males and females) comprising of diabetic and non-diabetic (controls) subjects using glucose oxidase peroxidase method, and sysmex KX-21N haematology CBC auto analyzer. Patients were aged between 20-55 years of age.

Results: It showed that diabetes patients exhibited significant (p<0.05) decrease in the following parameters compared with the control group:Lymphocyte, Eosinophil and Platelets count. The Total White Blood Cells, Neutrophil, Monocyte, Basophil and FBS did not vary between the diabetes patients and the control group and only platelet established significant relationship in terms of age compared with other parameters. Based on the findings of the study, it can be concluded that there is a statistically significant increases (P<0.05) in platelet in the males compared with the females. Also, diabetic patients showed no significant in PCV and Hb value than the control subject.

Conclusion: It is important that haematological profile should be included as a routine screening investigation to diagnose diabetic patient and treat accordingly. Full blood count as one of the routine laboratory tests is required in the management of diabetic patients.