Correlation Between Glycaemic Control and Body Mass Index in Nigerian Type I1 Diabetic Patients Attending Medical Outpatient Clinics UITH Ilorin.

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus is characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from a variable interaction of hereditary and environmental factors due to defects in insulin secretion, action or both. Apart from the research which has examined the relationship between glycaemic control and changes in weight, there is paucity of data focusing on relationship between body mass index categories and glycaemic control in Nigerian type II diabetic patients. We therefore aimed to demonstrates the effect if any, of BMI on glycaemic control in Nigerians with type II diabetes by correlating glycaemic control level with BMI. Weight of patients and height were taken and BMI was calculated as weight (Kg) / height (M²).  A total of 2.5mls of blood sample was collected from each patient in sitting position from the dorsum of the ante-cubital vein or vein at the dorsum of the hand. Glycated haemoglobin was estimated.  The absorbance of samples and standards were measured against reagent blank. Statistical analysis was done using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS version 15.0) and results were expressed as means± SD. Paired sample t-test was used to compare means of results where appropriate. Pearson`s correlation analysis was used to examine the relationships between the variables. A p-value less than 0.05 were considered statistically significant. There was a statistically significant difference when the mean BMI of diabetic subjects were compared with that of controls (p <0.05).  There was statistical significant difference between levels of glycaemic control and BMI. Significant positive correlation was observed when BMI was compared with glycaemic control with r values of 0.533 and p-value <0.05. We concluded from our study that levels of glycaemic control in Diabetes Mellitus strongly correlates with BMI. So, optimal result in the management of diabetic patients entails but not limited to regular exercise and weight loss along with drug therapy, regular diabetes screening.