Prevalence of DM in surgical patients at a tertiary hospital in Rivers State, Nigeria

Abstract

Diabetes Mellitus (DM) is an endocrine disease condition that may complicate surgical patients globally. The risk factors are myriad of which includes advanced age, family history and intrinsic problems associated with excessive sugar in the blood circulation due to insulin regulation by the liver.To determine the prevalence of DM in surgical patients at the Rivers State University Teaching Hospital (RSUTH).This was a one-year retrospective study of Surgical patients (Surgery and Obstetrics/Gynaecology departments) of the RSUTH. The patients comprised of all the consecutive cases of the surgeries in these departments for the period under review. Ethical clearance was obtained from ethical committee of the Rivers State Hospital Management Board. Structured profoma was used to extract information from patients' case notes and analyzed using SPSS version 25.The subjects for the study were 250, comprising of 98 (39.2%) males and 152 (60.8%) females. The age range was 22 years to 56 years. The mean age was 31 years of which 132 (52.8%) were obstetrics and gynaecological surgeries while 118 (47.2%) were non-gynaecological surgeries. The commonest indication for surgery was caesarean section representing 52 (34.2%) of the subjects; 4 (1.6%) had DM, of which 3 (1.2%) were females while 1 (0.4%) was a male. The prevalence of DM in surgical patients at the RSUTH was 1.6%.   The prevalence of DM was higher in females compared to males. Multi-disciplinary approach in the management of DM in surgical patients involving the endocrinologist is key to a favorable outcome.