Relationship between Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Red Cell Distribution Width

Background and objectives: Type 2 diabetes mellitus is a prevalent health problem in the Kurdistan region/Iraq. Numerous biochemical parameters are important for screening and monitoring of diabetes mellitus, Red Cell Distribution Width is one of them. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Erbil Teaching Hospital, Rizgary Teaching Hospital, and Layla Qassim primary health care center in Erbil city-Kurdistan region/Iraq from 1st of August, 2022 to 31st of July, 2023 on one hundred and twenty type 2 diabetic patients. Many biochemical and hematological parameters were evaluated and compared with Red Cell Distribution Width in this study. Results: The mean Red Cell Distribution Width of diabetic patients was (16.64%); 61.7% of them had a high Red Cell Distribution Width. A weak positive correlation was observed between Red Cell Distribution Width -CV and each female gender, Body Mass Index, White Blood Cell count, and triglyceride (p?0.05). A potent positive and significant correlation was noticed between Red Cell Distribution Width -CV and fasting blood sugar (r=0.76, p<0.001) as well as HbA1c level (r=0.92, p<0.001). A moderate positive significant correlation was observed between Red Cell Distribution Width -CV and cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol as well as serum creatinine levels (p?0.05). A weak negative correlation between Red Cell Distribution Width -CV and HDL (p<0.001). Conclusion: The red blood cell distribution width might be a helpful marker in monitoring and assessing the severity of type 2 diabetes mellitus and could also help in predicting cardiovascular and renal complications.