Association between Red cells distribution width and glycemic control among people with type 2 diabetes.

Objective: To evaluate Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) in people with type 2 diabetes and its relationship with glycemic control. Study Design: Retrospective study. Setting: Baqai Institute of Diabetology and Endocrinology, Baqai Medical University. Demographic, Clinical and Biochemical Data were retrieved from hospital management system of BIDE. Period: September 2018 to April 2019. Material & Methods: Ethical approval was obtained from the Institutional Review Board of BIDE. Based on the HbA1c values, patients were divided into two groups, HbA1c < 7.0% and HbA1c ≥ 7.0%. RDW calculated from RBC histogram in Nihon Kohden fully automated analyzer. Results: RDW found 13.9±1.88 and 13.57±1.64 (p-value 0.018) in good and poorly controlled glycemic groups respectively. Poor glycemic group had higher levels of white cell count (9.58±4.34) and Triglycerides (170.12±129.13) (p-value <0.05), whereas controlled glycemic group demonstrated higher levels of BMI (29.03±6.01), MCV (84.36±7.81) and HDL (33.75±12.31). RDW was directly correlated with gender (p-value <0.0001) and duration of diabetes (p-value 0.01), and showed significant and inverse correlation with HbA1c. Age, blood pressure, duration of diabetes, serum LDL cholesterol, and the CBC values demonstrated no significant differences between the both groups. Conclusion: We found significant correlation between RDW and glycemic control.