Evaluating the Impact of BMI on HbA1c and Inflammatory Markers in Diabetic Men and Women

Abstract

Objective: This study is focused on the impact of BMI on Glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) and the inflammatory biomarkers that are ESR, monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (MLR), platelet count, total leukocyte count and ferritin levels in diabetic men and women.

Methodology: This cross sectional study design was used to collect 160 samples (80 males and 80 females) between ages 25 and 75 years from Pakistan Railway hospital Rawalpindi from January 2024 to April 2024. Patients were assigned to 3 groups depending upon their BMI (Group I= up to 24.9 kg/m2, Group II=25-29.9 kg/m2 and Group III= ?30kg/m2). Biochemical analysis involved measuring HbA1c, ESR, complete blood counts, including the differential cell count for estimating MLR and serum ferritin levels. Data was analyzed using SPSS 21.

Results: The mean BMI value of men was 26.84 ± 4.02, and women was 28.31±6.25 (p=0.001). The number of participants with normal BMI were 64 (40.0%), 77 (48.1%) were overweight and 19 (11.9%) were obese. A correlation of BMI with HbA1c ((r=0.213, p=0.007) and ESR(r=0.252, p=0.001) was positive while with monocyte to lymphocyte ratio (r=-0.162, p=0.44) was negative and a lack of correlation with total leukocyte count (r=-0.025, p=0.756) as well as with platelet count (r=0.144, p=0.069). Also a gender based significant correlation (p=0.001) was observed between BMI and ferritin levels.

Conclusion: This study concludes a significant correlation between BMI, HbA1C and inflammatory biomarkers (ESR, ferritin) with a distinct pattern of differences between the two genders showing higher HBA1 c levels in all BMI categories among women, which calls for gender specific treatment strategies.