Hematological and Inflammatory Cytokine Profiles in Subjects with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in Port Harcourt, Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is associated with chronic hyperglycemia and systemic inflammation, which contribute to hematological alterations and vascular complications. This study evaluated hematological indices, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in individuals with T2DM in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, and examined their relationship with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c).

Materials and Methods: This case-control study involved 70 T2DM patients (HbA1c≥ 6.5%) and 70 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Fasting blood glucose (FBG) was measured enzymatically, HbA1c by fluorescence immunoassay, complete blood count using an automated hematology analyzer, and cytokines by ELISA. Statistical analysis was performed using GraphPad Prism version 8.0.2, with effect sizes reported and P≤ 0.05 considered significant.

Results: T2DM subjects had significantly higher FBG, HbA1c, WBC, neutrophil percentage, and IL-1β, and significantly lower RBC, lymphocyte percentage, PLT, and PCT (adjusted P< 0.05). IL-1β was more than three-fold higher in diabetics, with a very large effect size. FBG increased significantly with longer disease duration (P= 0.008). HbA1c correlated positively with FBG (P< 0.001) WBC (P= 0.044), MPV (P= 0.006), and PDW (P= 0.015), and negatively with MCV (P= 0.019) and Mixed WBC population (P= 0.001).

Conclusion: This study simultaneously assessed complete blood count parameters alongside IL-1β and TNF-α in the same cohort. The findings demonstrate that T2DM in this population is characterized by clinically meaningful hematological and inflammatory alterations linked to poor glycemic control. Integrating routine complete blood count and selected inflammatory markers into diabetes monitoring may enhance early risk stratification, particularly in resource-limited settings.