Correlation Between White Blood Cell Count and Insulin Resistance in Type 2 Diabetes

The role of chronic inflammation in insulin resistance states and the pathogenesis of metabolic syndrome, cardiovascular disease and diabetes have been reported earlier. White Blood Cell (WBC) count is an easy marker for estimation of systemic inflammation.

This study is to clarify whether WBC count is associated with insulin resistance in type 2 diabetic patients.

This cross sectional study was conducted in 283 patients with type 2 diabetes and in 283 healthy non diabetic subjects as control group. Data including: age, gender, blood pressure, height and weight, history of smoking were collected for each patient. Fasting blood sugar, HbA1C, insulin, lipid profiles, creatinine, Urine albumin to creatinine ratio, high sensitive C- reactive protein (HCRP) and WBC was measured for all patients. WBC count was measured in control group. Two groups were compared in WBC count. Insulin resistance was calculated with HOMA-IR formula. Association of WBC count with insulin resistance and metabolic parameters was assessed in diabetic patients.

WBC count was significantly associated with body mass index, hypertension, and triglyceride level. There was not significant association between WBC count and glycemic index and insulin resistance.

An elevated WBC count (even in the normal range) is closely related to various components of metabolic syndrome but not related to insulin resistance in type 2 diabetes.