Red cell distribution width as a marker of inflammation in type 2 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Background: Red cell distribution width (RDW) is considered a prognostic marker which may reflect an underlying inflammatory process. This marker can be used as a predictor for macrovascular and microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus. Aim of the study: was to investigate the relation between RDW and vascular complications in patients with type 2 diabetes and it is relation to other inflammatory marker high sensitivity Creactive protein (hs-CRP). Subjects and methods: This study is a cross-sectional study of 75 subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus and 15 healthy controls. All subjects underwent thorough history, clinical examination and investigations including measurement of hs-CRP and calculation of RDW. Results: In the present study RDW was found to be elevated in diabetic patients with macrovascular complications (15.251±1.77) as compared to those without macrovascular complications with statistically significant difference (p =0.04). Also RDW was found to be elevated in diabetic patients with microvascular complications but this was not statistically significant (p= 0.87). Hs- CRP was elevated in diabetic patients with macro- and microvascular complications (3.12±4.06) with statistically significant difference as compared to control group (p =0.02). There was significant positive correlation between hs- CRP and HbA1c. Also positive correlations were found between RDW and hs-CRP. Conclusion: High levels of RDW are associated with increase risk of macrovascular complications in type 2 diabetes mellitus.