Abstract
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is at the origin of long-term complications. OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at assessing the haematological features and urologic pathologies of diabetic individuals at Bafoussam Regional Hospital. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study conducted from August 2018 to May 2019 in Bafoussam Regional Hospital, West Cameroon. A structured questionnaire was used to gather sociodemographic data. A trained nurse measured the physical and clinical features. Fasting plasma glucose was determined using the glucose meter Accu-Chek Active system. The full blood count (FBC) was carried out using Automatic full Blood Counter, and the CD4, CD3, and CD8 T-cell counts were determined using the flow cytometry method. RESULTS: There were 455 diabetic patients, and 50 nondiabetic patients were included. The mean age of diabetic patients (56.94 ± 14.33 years) was higher compared to that of nondiabetic individuals (34.76 ± 14.35 years) (p < 0.001). There was a significant relationship between married individuals (χ (2) = 79.19, p < 0.001, and df = 4), housewife and retired (χ (2) = 1117.38, p < 0.001, and df = 37), old age (40 years and above) (χ (2) = 79.11, p < 0.001, and df = 3), and diabetes status. Diabetic patients had an odds of 5.52 to experience a urinary urge as compared to the controls (p < 0.001, 95% CI = 2.15-14.22). The majority of haematological parameters were negatively but not significantly correlated with diabetes. Binary logistic regression shows that MCV (r = -0.251, OR = 0.778, and 95% CI = 0.617-0.983; p = 0.035) and RDW-CV (r = -0.477, OR = 0.620, and 95% CI = 0.454-0.848; p = 0.003) negatively influence the probability of having diabetes. RDW-SD (r = 0.135, OR = 1.144, and 95% CI = 1.014-1.291; p = 0.029) positively influences the probability of having diabetes. CONCLUSION: This study revealed a significant haematological and urological profile difference according to diabetes status. Research and interventions targeted at diabetic population could help close gaps in diabetes complications.