Correlation of Red Blood Cell Distribution Width (RDW) and Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) Levels, In Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

The incidence of Diabetes Mellitus is increasing worldwide, with almost 1/3 of adults being affected. It is the major contributor to the morbidity of a man with its multi-organ system complications. Control of blood glucose levels is vital to decrease organ damage and complications. Routine diagnostic tests conducted are blood glucose, lipid pro ile, renal function tests, HbA1c, and insulin assays with a baseline CBC (Complete Blood Count). HbA1c values continue to be the gold standard for the assessment of glycemic control. The RDW (Red Cell Distribution Width) is a parameter of Complete Blood Count. Several studies have shown elevated RDW values in patients with poor glycemic control and as an early marker for Diabetic nephropathy and cardiovascular complications. 610 patients with type 2 Diabetes Mellitus attending the Diabetic Clinic in Saveetha Medical College were included in a cross-sectional study to compare HbA1c values with RDW values with age and gender. The ratio of patients with poor HbA1c levels: acceptable HbA1c levels of glycemic control was1:4 in the age group 25 years and below. The ratio rose to 1:1 in the 36-45 years age group with a reversal of ratio to 4:1 in patients >65years of age. There was a signi icant correlation between the values of HbA1c with agewith the number of patients increasing with age and showing elevated HbA1c levels. There was no signi icant correlation between the values of RDW and age. There was a signi icant positive correlation between HbA1c and RDW-(p = 0.003, < 0.05 standard). For patients with HbA1c values between 6.2-6-8 %, there was a particularly strong positive correlation with RDW values. In conclusion, there was a signi icant positive correlation between values of RDW and HbA1c, which emphasis that RDW is a good predictive factor for glycemic control.

Evaluation of Red Blood Cell Parameters as a Biomarker for Long-Term Glycemic Control Monitoring Among Type 2 Diabetic Patients in Southwest Ethiopia: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…This is consistent with the previous studies conducted in Pakistan 35 and India. 36 However, our finding is contrary to another study conducted in India reported that no significant correlation ( r =0.04, p>0.05) between RDW and HbA1c levels in T2 DM patients. 37 The difference might be due to the small number (only 50 T2 DM) of patients involved in the previous study.…”

Evaluation of Red Blood Cell Indices for Prediction of Glycemic Control in People Living with Type 2 Diabetes

“…Many studies have shown an association between the RBC indices and HbA1C. [8][9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16][17] From the red blood cell (RBC) indices, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) indicates the size of RBCs, while mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) define the hemoglobin content of RBCs. The red cell distribution width (RDW), however, indicates the variation in size of RBCs.…”

Correlation between HbA1c Levels and Red Distribution Cell Width in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients

“…A study in Chennai, India with a sample of 610 Type 2 DM patients reported a significant relationship between RDW and HbA1c (OR= 1.36; p= 0.003) (Biswas and Srinivasan, 2020).…”