Abstract
Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) is affected by the red blood cell (RBC) lifespan. The association of HbA1c with RBC indices in pregnant women is not widely investigated. In this study, we investigated the association between HbA1c and Hb/RBCs count and RBCs indices; specifically, Hb/RBCs count and indices in non- diabetic pregnant women. Across-sectional study was carried- out at the antenatal care of Saad Abu Elela Hospital, Khartoum, Sudan. Obstetrics history was gathered using questionnaire and body mass index was calculated. Fasting blood sugar, at one hour, at two hours post prandial and HbA1c were investigated. Complete blood count parameters of RBCs count was performed, including, hematocrit, Hb, RBCs indices of MCV, MCH, and MCHC. One hundred twenty three women were enrolled. The mean age of the participants was 28±5.6 years and a mean body mass index was 27.65±6.8 k/m2. There was significant positive correlation between HbA1c and Hb (r=0.174, P=0.037), Hct (r=0.174, P=0.037), and MCHC (r=0.180, P=0.031). A negative correlation between HbA1c and the platelet index PDW (r= –0.198, P=0.017) was documented. The rest of the other factors showed no correlation with HbA1c. In linear regression analysis, HbA1c correlated positively with Hb (P=0.044) and Hct (P=0.047). The present study shows a significant positive correlation between HbA1c value with Hb, Hct, and MCHC. No significant correlation between HbA1c and other RBCs parameters was observed.
Highlights
C Obstetrics history was gathered using quesr tionnaire and body mass index was calculate ed
No significant correlation between Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) and other red blood cell (RBC) parameters was observed
The age of the red blood cells is positively correlated with the mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) and is negatively correlated with mean corpuscular volume (MCV) and hemoglobin content due larger proportion of water loss compared to hemoglobin during survival red cell distribution width (RDW) measures the heterogeneity of the volume of RBCs that may help to differentiate between some types of anemia.[11]
Summary
HbA1c measurement is one of the diagnostic tests used in the diagnosis of diabetes and monitoring/managing hyperglycemia in uncontrolled diabetic patients. HbA1c is a relevant predictor of diabetes related complications and of mortality.[25] The red blood cells indices are subjected to changes in conditions affecting the physiology of RBCs as seen in many types of anemias. The current study showed a significant positive correlation between hematocrit (Hct), Hb, and MCHC values and HbA1c levels. Our findings are supported by one study that showed same observation between erythrocyte indices and HbA1C among both healthy pregnant and non-pregnant groups of participants.[26] This goes with the outcome in
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