Evaluating Antiphospolipid Antibodies as contributors to Thrombotic Vascular Complications in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Enugu, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Vascular thrombotic events complicates uncontrolled type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM). Antiphospholipid antibodies can cause vascular thrombosis. These present a "double hit" of thrombotic events in T2DM. They also affect disease management and prognosis.
Aim: To check serum levels of lupus anti-coagulant (LA) and immunoglobulin Beta - 2 - glycoprotein-1-anticardiolipin antibodies (IgG-B2GPI ACA) in Type 2 DM patients.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional analytical study. We recruited 140 Type 2 DM patients and 70 healthy control subjects. The study centre was the diabetic clinic at University of Nigeria Teaching hospital. Assays for serum levels of LA and IgGβ2GPI-ACA in the subjects were done. UNTH's institutional ethics committee IEC approved the study.
Results: Prevalence of LA in complicated, uncomplicated T2DM and healthy control subjects were 7.1%, 4.3%,43%. The prevalence of IgG-β2GP1-ACA was 4.3% for all the groups. The risk ratio of developing LA & IgG-B2GPI ACA in uncomplicated T2DM patients were 1.3 (95% CI: 0.37- 4.9) and 1.0 (95% CI, 0.20 - 4.78). The RR of complicated T2DM developing LA & IgG-B2GPI ACA 1.67(95% CI: 0.4-6.7) and 1.72 (95% CI: 0.39-7.48). Correlation analysis of LA, IgG-B2GPI-ACA and the presence of vascular complications in T2DM was not significant. P>0.05.
Conclusion: There is no causal relationship between APLS antibodies levels and vascular complications in T2DM.