Comparative Analysis of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, Platelet Count, and Indices in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Normal Controls: Association and Clinical Implications

Khaled Essawi; Gasim Dobie; Misk F Shaabi; Waleed Hakami; Muhammad Saboor; Aymen M Madkhali; Abdullah A H Hamami; Wael H Allallah; Mohammad S Akhter; Abdullah A Mobarki; Hassan A Hamali

doi:10.2147/DMSO.S422373

Comparative Analysis of Red Blood Cells, White Blood Cells, Platelet Count, and Indices in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients and Normal Controls: Association and Clinical Implications

Diabetes Metab Syndr Obes. 2023 Oct 6:16:3123-3132. doi: 10.2147/DMSO.S422373. eCollection 2023.

Affiliations

¹ Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, College of Applied Medical Sciences, Jazan University, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.
² Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, Sharjah, United Arab Emirates.
³ Department of Laboratory & Blood Bank, Prince Mohammed bin Nasser Hospital, Ministry of Health, Jazan, Saudi Arabia.

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a major health burden affecting 537 million adults worldwide, characterized by chronic metabolic disorder and various complications. This case control study aimed to assess the impact of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM), including hyperglycemia levels, on hematological parameters and complete blood count (CBC) derived parameters.

Methods: A total of 250 known diabetic patients from the Jazan Diabetic Center, Saudi Arabia, between January 2021 and December 2022, along with 175 healthy adult controls were recruited from Jazan Hospital's blood donation center. Demographic characteristics, medical histories, and relevant factors such as gender, age, BMI, treatment, disease duration, and comorbidities were collected with informed consent.

Results: The results of the red blood cell (RBC) count, RBC indices, and mean platelet volume showed significant differences between patients and controls, while the white cell (WBC) and platelet count were comparable between the two groups. CBC-derived parameters, especially neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and platelet/neutrophil ratio (PNR) exhibited significant differences.

Conclusion: CBC and derived parameters serve as inexpensive tools for T2DM patients monitoring, indicating early blood cell alterations and potential development of anemia. Further studies are needed to explore their role in predicting T2DM pathogenesis and progression, aiming to reduce severe complications, mortality and morbidity.

Keywords: complete blood count; diabetes mellitus; disease complication; mean platelet volume/platelet count; neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio; platelet/lymphocyte ratio; platelet/neutrophil ratio.

Grants and funding

The authors extend their appreciation to the deanship of Scientific Research, Jazan University, for supporting the research work through the Research Unit support Program, (Grant Number RUP2-05).