Haematological profile of diabetes and non-diabetes patients in rural tertiary centre

Abstract

Background: Anemia is a common haematological finding in diabetic patients. Many research studies have reported that anemia mostly occurs in patients with diabetes who also have renal insufficiency. A few other studies have also reported an incidence of anemia in diabetics prior to evidence of renal impairment. Anemia occurs earlier and at a greater degree in patients presenting with diabetic nephropathy than those presenting with other causes of renal failure. The objective of this study is to determine the haematological profile among type 2 Diabetes mellitus in comparison with non-diabetic controls.Methods: Hospital based case control study was conducted in a rural tertiary care centre for a period of 1 year (May 2016 to April 2017) among type 2 diabetic patients and equal proportion of controls without diabetes. 70 diabetics and non-diabetics as controlled were enrolled for the study. Pretested and structured questionnaire was used to collect the data from subjects. For laboratory investigation 5 ml of blood was drawn from the patient and analysed in the automated cell counter for haematological parameters. Data was analysed using SPSS 22 version, Chi-square test and independent t test was the test of significance for qualitative and quantitative data respectively. P value of <0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.Results: Mean age of diabetics was 55.7±3.6 years and non-diabetics was 56.2±3.5 years. Majority of subjects in both the groups were females. In diabetics mean haemoglobin, RBCs, PCV, and MCV was significantly lower than in non-diabetics. Whereas mean MCHC, WBCs and lymphocytes was significantly higher in diabetics compared to non-diabetics. No difference was observed for MCH, neutrophils and platelets between two groups. This shows that diabetics are prone for anemia, leucocytosis and lymphocytosis.Conclusions: Haematological profile in diabetes patients in deranged and diabetics are more prone for anemia, leucocytosis and lymphocytosis. Hence routine and regular screening for haematological profile is recommended in diabetic patients to initiate early prevention strategies and to reduce the morbidity related to it.