correlation of complete blood count parameters with glycemic control in type 2diabetes mellitus
Background. Several hematological alterations involving cellular components of the blood have been reported in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and may contribute to the development of diabetes related complications. Chronic hyperglycemia increases oxidative stress, which can affect red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets. Glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) reflects glycemic control over the preceding three months and is widely used to assess disease management. Objective. To evaluate the association between selected hematological parameters from the complete blood count (CBC), and glycemic control in patients with T2DM. Methods. This cross-sectional, exploratory study included 50 patients with T2DM, who were divided into two groups based on their HbA1c level into a good glycemic control group (n = 25, HbA1c < 7%) and poor glycemic control (n = 25, HbA1c ≥ 7%). CBC parameters and HbA1c levels were measured. Group comparisons between groups were performed using the independent sample t-tests and Pearson’s correlation analysis was used to assess the relationship between hematological parameters and HbA1c. Results. Patients with poor glycemic control had significantly higher mean WBC count (7.90 ± 1.72 vs. 6.53 ± 0.89 × 109/L, p < 0.001), neutrophil count (4.98 ± 1.57 vs. 3.91 ± 0.82 × 109/L, p < 0.004), platelet count (286.88 ± 54.18 vs. 216.48 ± 39.33 × 109/L, p < 0.001)), and mean platelet volume (10.44 ± 2.11 vs. 8.21 ± 0.86 fL, p < 0.001) compared with the good control group. No significant differences were observed in RBC parameters. Platelet count showed a significant positive correlation with HbA1c (r = 0.516, p < 0.001). In addition, WBC count (r = 0.485, p = 0.001), neutrophil count (r = 0.431, p = 0.002), and mean platelet volume (MPV) (r = 0.598, p < 0.001) were also significantly positively correlated with HbA1c levels. Conclusion. Poor glycemic control in this cohort of patients with T2DM was associated with higher WBC, neutrophil, and platelet counts, as well as increased MPV. These results suggest a potential correlation between subclinical inflammation, platelet activation, and hyperglycemia. However, given the small sample size and the exploratory cross-sectional design of the study, the findings should be interpreted with caution and confirmed in larger prospective studies before any clinical utility can be established.