Evaluating the effect of antidiabetic treatment on haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters among type 2 diabetics in Ilorin, Nigeria

Background:Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a disease of epidemic proportions and many patients are at a great risk of premature mortality and complication of atherothrombotic disorders affecting coronary, cerebral and peripheral arterial trees. Increased Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor Type 1 inhibits fibrinolysis and predicts cardiovascular risk in those living with Type 2 Diabetes. This study aimed to determine the effect of antidiabetic treatment on haemostatic and fibrinolytic parameters among Type 2 Diabetic subjects in Ilorin.Methods:This was a comparative cross-sectional study involving 78 Type 2 diabetic patients, (39 treatment naïve, 39 treatment experienced). Full blood count was performed using Sysmex XP300 while Prothrombin time was determined using one stage test of Owren. Activated partial thromboplastin time was determined by method of Proctor and Rapaport. Fibrinogen and Plasminogen Activator Inhibitor type-1 were assayed using AssayMax Human Fibrinogen ELISAand AssayMax Human PAI-1 ELISAkit. Data Analysis was done using SPSS version 25.0.Results:Mean PAI-1 levels were significantly higher in treatment naïve diabetics when compared to treatment experienced diabetics (2.44 ±2.57 vs 2.51±1.47 ng/ml p=0.002) as were fibrinogen levels (434.65±366.15 vs 482.24± 299.64mg /dl; p = 0.048). PAI -1 levels were lowest among diabetics treated with Metformin + DPP4 inhibitors, while fibrinogen levels were lowest among those treated with Metformin + sulfonylurea combination.Conclusion:Oral hypoglycaemic treatment, combination therapy in particular, improves fibrinolysis in type 2 diabetics thereby reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients

Behavior modifying myths practices and effect on health seeking behavior among pregnant Yoruba women, south western Nigeria ­ a cross-sectional study

INTRODUCTION: Cultural practices and beliefs influence and underpin the behavior of women during pregnancy and childbirth; this behavioral change could influence the health-seeking behavior as well as the outcome of pregnancy. OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to determine the behavior modifying myths among pregnant Yoruba women and their sources. METHODS: This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out among 250 pregnant Yoruba women attending the antenatal clinics of Bowen University Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso and Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Ogbomoso. A structured, interviewer-administered questionnaire was undertaken. Consent was sought verbally. RESULTS: The age of the respondents ranged from 15-45 years with a mean age of 27 years (±3.5). Most of the women were married n=239 (95.6%) and primarily Christian n=184 (73.6%). 127 (50.8%) of the women had a tertiary education while only 13 (5.2%) had no formal education. 41 (16.3%) of the respondents being primigravida. Six myths were identified with food taboos being the most common. These were being practiced by 61.2% of the respondents. The reasons given for modifying their behavior varied from warding off ghosts to the delivery of a well-formed child. The most frequent source of information were their relatives (42.4%). CONCLUSION: The practice of the myths was neither influenced by educational status nor religion. The majority of these practices do not have a deleterious effect and did not influence health-seeking behavior or outcome of pregnancy based on the reasons adduced for the practice