Abstract
BACKGROUND AND AIMS: Hemostatic complications are the leading cause of mortality among people with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Studies on hemostatic parameters of people with T2DM have shown different results. This study investigated coagulation profiles of people with T2DM, and its association with glycemic control. METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 160 people with T2DM at the Buea and Limbe Regional Hospitals from January 2024 to May 2024. Prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), protein C, d-dimer, fibrinogen and platelets were estimated. Fasting plasma glucose was measured by an enzymatic colorimetric method, and glycated hemoglobin using an ion exchange resin method. Data were analyzed using SPSS. Significance was set at p < 0.05. RESULTS: The prevalence of coagulopathy in this study was 24.4%, with a higher prevalence in patients with poor glycemic control (32.4%). Being a female ([p = 0.050, AOR (95% CI): 7 (1.11, 4.30)]) compared to male, aged 40-60 years (p = 0.001, AOR (95% CI): 2.51 (1.22-4.36)), aged older than 60 years (p = 0.005, AOR (95% CI): 1.43(1.16-3.18)) compared to being younger, having lived with T2DM for more than 5 years (5-10 years) (p = 0.005, AOR (95% CI): 2.20 (1.07-4.44)), and being obese (p = 0.004, AOR (95% CI): 4.57 (2.58, 10.59)) showed statistically significant associations with increased prevalence of coagulopathy. There were significant differences in protein C (p < 0.001), d-dimer (p < 0.001), PT (p = 0.001), and APTT (p = 0.011) between patients with good and poor glycemic control. Glucose self-monitoring (p = 0.011), physical activity (p = 0.021), and adherence to diabetic medications (p = 0.024) were significantly associated to glycemic control (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Coagulopathy is more common in people with T2DM with poor glycemic control. Female gender, old age, longer duration of diabetes, and obesity contribute to coagulopathy in patients with T2DM.