Fasting hyperglycemia, drugs and medicinal plants in a clinical laboratory in Oaxaca, Mexico

Abstract

Objetive: To determinate the prevalence of fasting hyperglycemia and the use of
drugs and medicinal plants in patients trated at the HECA LAB clinical analysis
laboratory in Ciudad Ixtepec, Oaxaca.
Materials and Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was carried out
during the fourth quarter of 2021. A non-probabilistic sampling was carried
out, for convenience, incluiding a total of 205 patients. Data collection was
carried out by applying a structured questionnaire containing sociodemographic
information such as age and sex. Patients with hyperglycemia were questioned
about the consumption of medicines and medicinal plants. Glucose levels were
determined using the Mindray semi-automatic clinical chemistry analyzer,
model BA-88A. A glucose value greater than or equal to 126 mg/dl according
to the WHO criteria was considered diabetic. Prevalence was calculated by
formula, according to Aschengrau & Seage.
Results: Of the 205 patients, 29% had diabetes. 8% were classified as prediabetic
with a predominance of females. The most frequent age range was 54-65 years
with 32%. 82% reported taking pharmacological treatment and 63% of those
surveyed reported consuming medicinal plantas for the treatment of diabetes.
Conclusions: The prevalence of diabetes in the studied patients was 29%. Oral
monotherapy with metformin was the most frequent treatment, followed by
the use of subcutaneous insulin. Eleven medicinal plants were referred, being
moringa (Moringa oleifera), the most used. 18% did not receive pharmacological
treatment. For this reason, it is necessary to establish timely health education
interventions on lifestyle changes and adherence to pharmacological treatment of
patients with diabetes mellitus; to achieve adequate management of the disease
and avoid complications.
Keywords: Prevalence; Diabetes; Drug therapy; Medicinal plants; Epidemiology