HbA1c Status in Type II Diabetes Mellitus with and without Iron Deficiency Anemia

Background: Hemoglobin A1C (HbA1c) reflects patient’s glycemic status over the previous 3 months. Previous studies have reported that iron deficiency may elevate HbA1c concentrations, independent of glycemia.

Aim: To assess the status of HbA1c in clinically diagnosed cases of type II Diabetes mellitus (DM) with and without iron deficiency anemia (IDA).

Study Design: Case control study in rural hospital of Talegaon Dabhade, Pune.

Methodology: The study includes 36 clinically diagnosed cases of type II DM with IDA and 36 controls which are age & sex matched having type II DM without IDA. Hematological parameters, fasting and post prandial blood glucose& HbA1c level were assessed in all subjects. Serum ferritin levels were assessed only in cases. Comparison between the parameters of cases and controls was done using appropriate statistical analysis.

Results: Levels of HbA1c are increased in cases [clinically diagnosed patients of diabetes mellitus with iron deficiency anemia that is IDA] as compared to controls [clinically diagnosed patients of diabetes mellitus without IDA] irrespective of glycemic status.

Conclusion: This study found a positive correlation between iron deficiency anemia and increased HbA1c levels, Hence IDA is to be taken in consideration while interpreting HbA1c in diagnosis and monitoring of Diabetes mellitus.