1 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, Enugu State University of Science and Technology, Enugu State, Nigeria.
2 Thrombosis and Haemostasis Unit, Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Health Sciences and Technology, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
3 Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine, University of Nigeria Enugu Campus, Enugu State, Nigeria.
International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2025, 16(03), 834-841
Article DOI: 10.30574/ijsra.2025.16.3.2608
Received on 05 August 2025; revised on 14 September 2025; accepted on 18 September 2025
Background: The prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is rising steadily in Nigeria. Chronic hyperglycemia alters red blood cell (RBC) structure and function, which may contribute to complications.
Aim: To evaluate RBC morphology and hematological parameters in patients with T2DM.
Methods: A case–control study was conducted at Enugu State University Teaching Hospital from July to November 2024, involving 70 T2DM patients (31 males, 39 females; aged 40–60 years) and 30 age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Hematological indices (RBC count, hemoglobin, packed cell volume [PCV], mean corpuscular indices, red cell distribution width [RDW]) were measured using an automated analyzer. Peripheral blood smears were prepared and examined for morphological abnormalities.
Results: T2DM patients had significantly lower PCV (36.89 ± 6.62%) compared with controls (39.55 ± 3.75%, p=0.03). No significant differences were observed in other hematological indices. Peripheral smear examination revealed hypochromasia in 10% of patients and anisocytosis in 6%, with rouleaux formation in one female subject. Increased RDW values were observed in females aged 40–45 years compared with older patients (p<0.05).
Conclusion: Patients with T2DM exhibited reduced hematocrit, increased RDW in younger females, and morphological changes including hypochromasia and anisocytosis. These findings support the inclusion of simple, cost-effective hematological parameters in the routine monitoring of diabetes mellitus.
Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus; Red Blood Cell Morphology; Anisocytosis; Hypochromasia; Nigeria
Preview Article PDF
Ngwu Amauche Martina, Ezigbo Eyiuche Doris and Ikegwuonu Ifeoma Chinwe. Red blood cell morphology changes in peripheral blood smear of type 2 diabetes mellitus patients. International Journal of Science and Research Archive, 2025, 16(03), 834-841. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/ijsra.2025.16.3.2608.
Copyright © 2025 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article. This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Liscense 4.0
