Plasma Glucose in a Reference Population in Port Harcourt; Nigeria

Background: Reference intervals are important in the analysis of results obtained for patients in the Hospital. These intervals tend to change as population demographics change. Globally; there has been an increase in the prevalence of diabetes and a change in the criteria set in diagnosing this disease. Since we have used the same reference intervals since 1984; it became imperative to review the reference intervals in use in our Hospital; the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital; Port Harcourt; Nigeria. Methods : A total of 605 patients from the Out-Patient department and the Hospital community randomly following informed consent. Five milliliters (5mls) of blood was collected into fluorides oxalate bottles between 9.00-11.00 a.m. after an overnight fast for the determination of plasma glucose. The samples were assayed daily within two hours of collection. Serum glucose was determined using the glucose oxidase method (Randox Laboratories-Antrim UK). Results: The reference interval covering the central 95th centile as determined by non-parametric methods was 3.0-5.7 mmol/L (95confidence interval-2.7-3.2 and 5.6-5.8 mmol/L) for the entire study population; while that for males was 2.9-6.3 mmol/L and that for females was 3.3-5.6 mmol/L. Conclusion : It is essential to review reference intervals periodically as changes may occur due to changes in population demographics

Screening for Microalbuminuria in Newly Diagnosed Type 2 Diabetics at a Staff Clinic in Port Harcourt

Background: Most individuals working in the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Port Harcourt are obese (with BMI 29 kg/m2). This has been attributed to change in diet and life style. Most of these individuals present with type 2 diabetes. Individuals with diabetes are at higher risk of suffering renal damage. It is observed that in spite of the medical facilities made available to these company workers; they do not present early for management but rather present when diabetic complications have set in to worsen outcome of management. Aim: To study the prevalence of microalbuminuria (as an evidence of onset of renal complication of diabetes) in newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics and its possible relationship with other diabetic complications in this group of patients. Methods: In this prospective study; 60 newly diagnosed type 2 diabetics were tested for microalbuminuria using micral test strips. Subjects and controls were also assessed for retinopathy; hypertension and glycated haemoglobin levels. Results: Micro- albuminuria was present in 38 (63.3) patients and was found to be significantly associated with mean arterial pressure; systemic hypertension; glycated haemoglobin levels and diabetic retinopathy (p0.05). Conclusion: There is a very high rate of microalbuminuria at diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in Port Harcourt. Glycated haemoglobin level is a very good prognostic indicator for the development of microalbuminuria in this group of patients