The Effect of Metformin and Glimepiride on Platelet Count and Indices Among Diabetic Patients Attending Jaber Abu Aliz Diabetic Center in Khartoum State

Abstract BackgroundDiabetes mellitus (DM) is a global pandemic, Platelets have crucial role in accelerated atherosclerosis and thrombosis which characterize DM.AimThe aim of the study was to detect the effect of two major oral hypoglycemic drugs (Metformin and Glimepiride) on platelet count and indices MPV (Mean platelet volume), PLCR (platelet large cell ratio), PDW (platelet distribution width). Beside, to study the effects of variation in Age, sex, duration of the drug, dose of drug, HbA1C level and associated complications.Material and methods96 diabetic patients have been included in this study in addition 50 apparently healthy non-diabetic matching for age and sex subjects have been tested as control group.EDTA anti-coagulated venous blood samples has been taken from each , platelet count and indices were measured using automatic blood counter (Sysmex KX-21N) and HbA1C was Measured using Ichroma II . Statistics was performed by SPSS (version 22). ResultsThe results showed that both types of treatment have reduced platelets indices but the reduction in Glimepiride was insignificant except in PDW when compared with control. Also both have no effect on platelet count. Both treatments have insignificant variation on measured parameters when considering age, gender, dose and treatment duration though significant variation in Glimepiride study population was detected due to associated complications and HbA1C level.ConclusionIt is concluded that both types of drugs reduce platelet indices which have a good prognostic effect on the Pro-thrombotic state and accelerated atherosclerosis which is associated with type 2 Diabetic patients. Metformin have better effect on platelet indices than Glimepiride. Further case control trails are required.