ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus is a major health problem with a variety of implications: cellular, metabolic, and hematological. Hematological alterations observed in type 2 diabetes are related to hyperglycemia and have a vital role in vascular-associated diabetes complications which could be used as a marker for these complications. The aim of this study is to assess the association between hematological indices and blood glucose levels in patients with type 2 diabetes attending outpatient clinics in Mosul. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A case-control study was done on 100 patients with type 2 diabetes and 100 healthy controls attending Alwafa Center for Diabetes and Endocrinology and four family medicine health centers in Mosul for the period 1st of January 2024-30th of March 2024. Data collection was done by a direct interview with participants. Hematological indices were tested by using an automatic hematology analyzer. RESULTS: Statistically significant differences in Hb were found between diabetic patients and controls (P = 0.007). The total WBC count, neutrophils, and lymphocytes were significantly higher in diabetic patients compared to controls (P = 0.001 for all). Moreover, platelet indices (platelets count and PDW) showed a significant difference between diabetic patients and controls (P = 0.004 and 0.000) respectively. In addition, total WBC count, neutrophil count, and lymphocytes show a statistically significant positive correlation with FBS (P = 0.026, 0.050, and 0.019) respectively. CONCLUSION: This study revealed statistically significant differences in various hematological parameters between patients with type 2 diabetes and healthy controls. Regular testing of hematological indices helps in early detection and proper management of diabetic complications.
