RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is characterized by impaired glucose regulation and various complications. It is known that chronic inflammation and platelet activation play a role in development of insulin resistance or diabetic complications. This study investigated whether hematologic parameters are useful for monitoring blood glucose regulation or complications in DM patients. METHODS: Total 90 diabetic patients were divided into two groups according to their hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels: 59 regulated DM patients with HbA1c levels<7% and 31 unregulated DM patients with HbA1c levels≥7%. RESULTS: White blood cell counts (P=0.021), neutrophil counts (P=0.005), monocyte counts (P=0.040), neutrophil % (P=0.042) and the neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR) (P=0.032) were significantly higher in the unregulated DM group compared to that in the regulated DM group. There were no differences in lymphocyte counts, lymphocyte %, monocyte %, mean neutrophil volume, mean monocyte volume, platelet count, and mean platelet volume between groups. Neutrophil counts and NLR were higher in unregulated DM patients with complications than in the regulated DM group. A positive correlation was observed between HbA1c and white blood cell count (r=0.389, P<0.001) and neutrophil count (r=0.361, P<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In DM patients, neutrophil counts and NLR were related to glycemic control and the presence of complications. Additionally, neutrophil counts showed a positive correlation with HbA1c. Therefore, neutrophil counts and NLR can be used as related markers for diabetic regulation and complications during the follow-up of diabetic patients.