Anemia in Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Absence of Renal Insufficiency

Introduction: Diabetes Mellitus is associated with many complications such as microvascular, macrovascular and non vascular. Presence of anemia in diabetes is due to the disease itself rather than usual causes of anemia. Apart from causing usual symptoms, anemia also increases the risk of cardiovascular disease in diabetics. Here, we have conducted a study to compare the presence of anemia in patients with Diabetes, with that in healthy population. Material and Methods: A case-control study was conducted in a tertiary care hospital setting in Vadodara,Gujarat. A total of 120 patients were enrolled, of which 60 were cases who had Diabetes Mellitus type 2 and 60 were healthy controls, matched for age and gender. A detailed clinical history and examination was done for both cases and controls. Blood investigations in form of a complete hemogram, thin peripheral smear, blood sugar and serum creatinine was done. Only individuals with normal serum creatinine levels were included in the study. Comparison was done between the two groups for the presence of anemia, in absence of renal involvement. Results: Anemia was more prevelant in patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus when compared to controls (Odds Ratio = 2.04, P < 0.05). On comparing the anemic cases and controls in both genders, the Odds ratio for males and females was 2.14 and 2.04 respectively with P < 0.05. Conclusion: Patients with diabetes mellitus type 2 are at a higher risk of suffering from anemia irrespective of their renal function.