Introduction Complete blood count parameters have gained renewed interest as predictors of endothelial dysfunction in type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Thus, the aim of this study was to observe the changes in platelet and erythrocyte parameters between diabetics and nondiabetics and to evaluate these changes in relation to glycemic control.

Materials and Methods This cross-sectional study was performed in Mohammed VI University Hospital, Marrakech, Morocco, from January 2020 to July 2021. A total of 307 Moroccan patients were enrolled in this study, which included 222 diabetic patients and 85 nondiabetics. The diabetic patients were divided into two groups A (hemoglobin A1c [HbA1c] ≥ 6.5%) and B (HbA1c < 6.5%) according to their glycated hemoglobin levels (HbA1c). Biological parameters were processed as per the standard technique. Data analysis was performed using SPSS statistical software.

Results A significant difference was mentioned regarding mean corpuscular volume (MCV) (p < 0.001), red blood cell distribution width (RDW) (p < 0.001), and volume/platelet count (p = 0.023) between diabetics and nondiabetics. MCV and RDW were lower in group B than group A (p = 0.004; p = 0.04), while MPV was higher (p = 0.342). RDW significantly and negatively correlated with HbA1c in diabetic population (r = –0.182; p = 0.006). On the other hand, a significant and positive correlation between MPV and HbA1c was mentioned (r = +0.184; p = 0.006).

Conclusion Our study showed that RDW and MPV correlate with HbA1c in T2DM and can be used as a reproducible and inexpensive means to ensure proper control of glycemic status. Further studies are warranted to define specific RDW and MPV values predictive of complication risk in the diabetic population.

An earlier presentation was not applicable.

The members of the research ethics committee reviewed the protocol on May 18, 2023 and according to the Law 28–13 regarding the protection of persons participating in research: The study is approved (attached letter of approval).

- I.M.: Provided substantial contribution to the conception and design of the study, contributed to the acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data for the work, drafted the manuscript, and gave final approval of the version to be published.

- L.H.: Specialist in rheumatology with a Master's degree in SPSS software who helped in the statistical analysis.

- S.H.: Assisted in determining the exclusion criteria and in the careful selection of eligible patients for the case series study.

- S.S.: Assisted in the smooth running of preanalytical and analytical phases of the samples intended for the realization of blood counts.

- AS.A.: Supervised this case series study from conception to interpretation of data and critically revised the work for important intellectual content.

Received: 15 June 2023

Accepted: 11 July 2023

Article published online:
18 September 2023

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