Title:Endothelial cell markers in diabetes and prevalence of uncontrolled type 2 diabetes mellitus in Southern Nigeria

Author:Margaret S. Edem, Euphoria C Akwiwu and Josephine O Akpotuzor

Abstract:Objectives: Assessment of endothelial cell markers and prevalence of uncontrolled diabetes among diabetic patients on treatment would reveal the extent of glycemic control and management of vascular complications taking place in the given population. This study thus measured plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, soluble thrombomodulin, fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) among type 2 diabetic subjects in Southern Nigeria.
Methods: Adult diabetic subjects accessing care at the Diabetic Clinic of University of Calabar Teaching Hospital in Southern Nigeria were enrolled for this study with age and sex-matched non-diabetic control subjects. Blood samples from all participants were analysed for fasting plasma glucose, HbA1c, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 and soluble thrombomodulin by standard methods.
Results: Significantly (p=0.001) higher values of endothelial markers, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 and soluble thrombomodulin were observed alongside increased glycemic indices; fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c among diabetic subjects compared to non-diabetic subjects. These parameters were also observed to be higher among the 56.7% subjects with uncontrolled diabetes.
Conclusion: There is a high prevalence (56.7%) of uncontrolled diabetes in the studied population and the expression of endothelial cell markers is related to the degree of glycemic control.
Keywords: Diabetes, glycaemia, haemostasis, endothelium, HbA1c, plasminogen activator inhibitor-1, soluble thrombomodulin.
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