Elevated white blood cell count in subjects with impaired glucose tolerance

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Published on: January 7, 2018

Kayo Ohshita1, Kiminori Yamane, Miki Hanafusa

  • 1Department of Molecular and Internal Medicine, Division of Clinical Medical Science, Programs for Applied Biomedicine, Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences, Hiroshima University, Hiroshima, Japan. kayoo@hiroshima-u.ac.jp

Diabetes Care
|January 30, 2004
PubMed

Insights

Individuals with isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) had higher white blood cell (WBC) counts than those with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG). WBC count is linked to 2-hour plasma glucose and metabolic syndrome components.

Area of Science:

  • Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Syndrome Research
  • Clinical Biochemistry

Background:

  • Impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and impaired fasting glucose (IFG) are distinct prediabetic states with varying mortality risks.
  • Previous studies indicated minimal differences in lipids or blood pressure between IFG and IGT.
  • White blood cell (WBC) count as a potential differentiator between IFG and IGT warrants investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To compare white blood cell (WBC) counts between individuals with isolated impaired fasting glucose (IFG) and isolated impaired glucose tolerance (IGT).
  • To identify factors associated with WBC count in nondiabetic Japanese men.

Main Methods:

  • A cross-sectional study involving 4,720 nondiabetic Japanese men aged 24-84 years.
  • Classification into four groups based on a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test: normal glucose tolerance/normal fasting glucose, isolated IFG, isolated IGT, and IFG/IGT.
  • Comparison of WBC counts among groups and stepwise analysis to identify associated variables.

Main Results:

  • The isolated IGT group exhibited a significantly higher WBC count compared to the isolated IFG group (6,530 vs. 6,210/mm(3), P < 0.05).
  • Age, triglycerides, HDL cholesterol, fasting insulin, and 2-hour postchallenge plasma glucose (PG) were independently associated with WBC count (adjusted R(2) = 0.057).
  • WBC count was independently associated with 2-hour PG and triglycerides, regardless of smoking status.

Conclusions:

  • Isolated impaired glucose tolerance is associated with a higher white blood cell count than isolated impaired fasting glucose.
  • White blood cell count demonstrates an association with 2-hour plasma glucose and key metabolic syndrome components.
  • These findings suggest WBC count may serve as a biomarker differentiating prediabetic states.
Abstract

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