Abstract

Red cell distribution width (RDW) have been found to be altered in uncontrolled diabetic patients because of consistent increase in HbA1c values that are known to induce functional and structural changes in Hb and an alteration in its cytoplasmic environment. Alteration in RDW may have a role in the diagnosis and monitoring of glycemic status along with its complications.
Objective: Present study aims towards analysis of correlation of red cell distribution width with HbA1c in T2DM patients.
Methodology: Present study was a case control study in which total 50 cases and 50 controls were recruited. Controls were the healthy non-diabetic patients and cases involved patients with diabetes. Patients were categorized as diabetic and non-diabetic as per American Diabetes Association Diagnostic Criteria. 3ml blood sample was obtained to analyze the RDW and HbA1c.
Results: The mean age of patients was 59.54±10.78 in the cases and was 55.40±15.63 in control group. The mean HbA1c was 10.79±2.45 was significantly high in cases compared to 5.59±0.31 in controls. The mean RDW was 13.69±1.31 in cases and 13.40±1.17 in controls which do not differ significantly. In diabetes patients, a non-significant positive correlation was observed between the HbA1c and RDW with the correlation coeffect of 0.027.
Conclusion: In present study, a non- significant correlation was observed between the RDW and HbA1c in diabetes patients. A multicentric study with a large sample size is required to establish diagnostic significance of RDW in diabetes patients.