Changes in Plasma Fibrinogen, Viscosity and Electrolyte Levels among Some Nigerian Diabetics Receiving Treatment

In order to assess the impact of the various treatment approaches adopted to manage diabetes mellitus (DM) in Nigeria, one hundred and ninety-five fresh cases of DM were investigated. Fifty-five non-diabetic individuals in apparent good health were included as control subjects. The DM patients were separated into 3 groups depending on the treatment they received. Group 1: diet, 2: insulin, and 3: oral hypoglycemic drugs. Basal plasma fibrinogen concentration (PFC), relative plasma viscosity (RPV), packed cell volume (PCV), hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, plasma sodium and potassium levels were determined in both DM patients and control subjects by standard analytical procedures, and the results were compared with those obtained after about 61 (5-7) months of managing the ailment. The data indicate that after about 5-7 months treatment of the disease, PFC for group 1 patients (4.003.0g/L; n=75) and plasma sodium levels (130.04.6mmol/L: n=75;134.23.2mmol/L: n=55; and 132.14.3mmol/L: n=65) for groups 1,2 and 3 DM patients were demonstrated to be significantly different (P<0.05) when compared with control values (PFC=3.020.31g/L; sodium=142.33.2mmol/L: n=53) using the Student t-test. Results suggest poor control of DM by diet and drug, and this may be due to patients non-compliance to recommended diets and drug dosage. Since not all cases require insulin administration in the first instance, then ways of enforcing strict compliance should be explored and tested.