Coagulation Correlates of Dysglycaemia in Apparently Healthy Females of Reproductive Age Resident in Calabar, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction

Underdiagnosis of dysglycaemia is a challenge in our setting, necessitating advocacy for early detection by population screening. Various aspects of haemostasis are compromised at abnormal glycaemic levels. The extent to which these derangements occur in asymptomatic individuals is yet to be fully understood. Females of reproductive age with undetected dysglycaemia may be at heightened risk of associated complications when they become pregnant.

Methods

This study was conducted among asymptomatic females of reproductive age found to be dysglycaemic. Blood samples were collected from each participant into appropriate sample bottles. Glucose oxidase and ion exchange resin methods were used for fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin analyses respectively. Standard methods were employed for prothrombin time, activated partial thromboplastin time, relative plasma viscosity and fibrinogen tests, while D-dimer levels were assessed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay technique. Results are expressed in tables and graphs following student t-test and Pearson’s correlation analyses of data on SPSS version 22.0. Statistical significance was drawn at a p≤ 0.05.

Results

Fasting plasma glucose and glycated haemoglobin (5.55±0.28mmol/L and 6.21±0.25% respectively) were higher in dysglycaemia compared to control state (4.34±0.52mmol/L and 4.81±0.19% respectively). Coagulation parameters also differed significantly (p = 0.001) between dysglycaemic and control states. In the former, Fibrinogen (3.89±0.31g/L), D-dimer (487.97±31.08ng/ml) and relative plasma viscosity (1.95±0.87mPa/s) were significantly higher than values from the control group (2.45±0.33g/L, 354.62±36.84ng/ml and 1.59±0.11mPa/s). Significantly shortened (p = 0.001) activated partial thromboplastin time was recorded in those with dysglycaemia (28.14±2.32 Sec) compared to control subjects (32.28±3.08 Sec).

Conclusion

Dysglycaemic subjects had significantly altered parameters of haemostasis indicative of activated coagulation.