Abstract:
Background: Diabetes is a chronic metabolic syndrome that is becoming a global public
health problem with enormous morbidity and mortality. It is a pro-inflammatory and pro thrombotic ailment characterized by increased platelet activation and alteration of platelet
indices. However, the tendency to use platelet indices as predictors of poor glucoregulation
is not fully evaluated in our context, and evidence forthe role of platelet indices as predictor
of poor glycemic statusin diabetic patients also limited.
Objective: To assess platelet indices and to determine the predictive value of PLT indices for
poor glucoregulation in type 2 diabetic patients at Bishoftu General Hospital, Ethiopia.
Methods: A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 261 participants (174
T2DM and 87 non-diabetic controls) from June 15 to Aug 12, 2022, and the systematic random
sampling technique was used to select participants. Data were collected using
structured questionnaires, physical measurements, checklists, and laboratory tests. Platelet
parameters and fasting blood glucose levels were determined from blood samples using Sysm
ex-XN550 and CobasC311 analyzers, respectively. Hematology analyzer output was checked
and participants were also screened for malaria parasites using a prepared blood
smear. Collected data were entered into Epi-data 3.1 version and exported to SPSS-25 version
for analysis. Chi-square, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis test, Post hoc test, spearman
correlation, and ROC curve were used for analysis. A P-value<0.05 was considered
statistically significant.
Results: Our data showed that PDW, MPV, PLCR, and PCT values were significantly
increased in diabetic patientsthan in healthy controls (p<0.001). Moreover, these indices were
significantly elevated in poor glycemic control T2DM than in good control T2DM and healthy
controls. Significant correlations with anthropometric and clinical variables was also noted.
The PDW at a cut-off value 15.75fl with AUC 0.803; MPV at a cut-off value 12.25fl with AUC
0.774; PLCR at a cut-off value 36.3% with AUC 0.775; and PCT at a cut-off value 0.24% with
AUC 0.761; have been identified as predictors of poor glycemic in diabetes mellitus patients.
Conclusions and Recommendation: A significant increase in the platelet indices in diabetic
patients and their role in predicting poor glycemic in diabetes have been observed. Therefore,
regular screening and platelet indices profile checks are recommended during DM follow-up.
