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Red blood cell distribution width and diabetes-associated complications
Caroline J Magri1, Stephen Fava2
1Department of Cardiac Services, Mater Dei Hospital, Tal-Qroqq, Msida, Malta; Department of Medicine, University of Malta Medical School, Tal-Qroqq, Malta.
Diabetes & Metabolic Syndrome
|March 26, 2014
Summary
Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is linked to diabetic nephropathy in type 2 diabetes patients. This study found no association between RDW, neuropathy, or peripheral arterial disease, highlighting RDW as a key indicator for kidney complications.
Area of Science:
- Endocrinology
- Nephrology
- Hematology
Background:
- Red blood cell distribution width (RDW) is a known predictor of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality.
- Limited data exists on the relationship between RDW and diabetes-specific complications.
- Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with significant microvascular and macrovascular complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the association between RDW and diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, and peripheral arterial disease (PAD) in a T2DM population.
- To determine if RDW is an independent risk factor for these complications.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 196 T2DM patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy was studied.
- Assessment included investigations for diabetic nephropathy, neuropathy, and PAD.
- 24-hour blood pressure monitoring and analysis of metabolic syndrome, inflammation, and insulin resistance markers were performed.
Main Results:
- Diabetic nephropathy was present in 57%, neuropathy in 46%, and PAD in 26% of participants.
- No significant association was observed between RDW and diabetic neuropathy or PAD.
- RDW showed a strong, independent association with diabetic nephropathy (OR 1.64, p=0.006).
Conclusions:
- This study is the first to report no association between RDW, neuropathy, and PAD in T2DM.
- RDW is significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy in T2DM patients with advanced retinopathy, independent of traditional risk factors.
- RDW may serve as a valuable biomarker for diabetic nephropathy.
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