Association between ABO, Rhesus Blood Groups, and Type II Diabetes Mellitus among the Urhobos

Typing of red blood cells is a prerequisite for blood transfusion. Blood types (A, B, AB and O) may be respectively distributed and transmitted by Ethnicity and Mendelian heredity. The goal of this study was to determine amongst the Urhobos, the possible association between the ABO/Rhesus blood groups and type II diabetes mellitus. To achieve this, a total of 410 (200 diabetic and 210 non-diabetic) subjects were randomly recruited within the Urhobos; ethnic nationalities in south-south geopolitical zone of Nigeria. Using syringe and EDTA, Blood samples were obtained from each subject for specific anti-sera test (anti-A, anti-B and anti-D). Using the chi-square test, statistical measure of association was performed on obtained data, with p-value < 0.05 adjudged as statistically significant. Upon careful observation, Study found no significant difference in the distribution of ABO blood group between Diabetics and Non-Diabetics (control) at p<0.05. Apparently, while diabetics had less distribution of blood group A (as against control), Blood group AB was commoner in non-diabetics. These observations were however, not statistically significant at p<0.05, as Blood groups B and O showed similar distribution in both groups respectively.