Frequency of ABO/Rh Blood Groups Among Patients with Diabetes Mellitus in Luanda, Angola

Abstract

Background Diabetes is a chronic disease characterized by alterations in glucose, lipid, and protein metabolism, which can be identified by detecting high blood glucose levels. In this study we evaluated the frequency of ABO/Rh blood groups in patients with diabetes treated in Luanda, during the second half of 2020. Methods This was an observational, analytical, prospective study with a quantitative approach conducted with 100 patients with diabetes. Results The mean age of patients was 48,4±14 years old. Patients males (63%) with a mean age of 47.9±14.5 years old, secondary educational level (33%), and living in urbanized areas from Luanda (33%), which were the most prevalent in this studied population. About 57% did not exercise before the disease and did not have the disease in the family (51%). About 71% of the patients used insulin to treat diabetes. ORh+ and ARh+ blood groups were the most frequent. The majority of the patients were less than 4 years with diabetes. Conclusion We concluded that the patients most affected by diabetes were the elderly, males, from urbanized areas, and with blood groups ORh+ or ARh+. Further studies assessing the relationship between ABO/Rh blood groups and diabetes among the Angolan population are needed.