White Blood Cell Count Is Associated With Macro- and Microvascular Complications in Chinese Patients With Type 2 Diabetes
Peter C. Tong , PHD 1 ,
Ka-Fai Lee , MBCHB 1 ,
Wing-Yee So , MBCHB 1 ,
...Margaret H. Ng , MD 2 ,
Wing-Bun Chan , MBCHB 1 ,
Matthew K. Lo , MBCHB 1 ,
Norman N. Chan , MD 1 and
Juliana C. Chan , MD 1
1 Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, N.T., Hong
Kong
2 Department of Anatomical and Cellular Pathology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin,
N.T., Hong Kong
Address correspondence and reprint requests to Dr. Peter C.Y. Tong, Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, The Chinese University
of Hong Kong, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong. E-mail: ptong{at}cuhk.edu.hk
Abstract
OBJECTIVES —There are close associations among raised white blood cell (WBC) count, coronary heart disease, and metabolic syndrome in
the general population. The association between WBC count and vascular complications of diabetes has not been explored. We
carried out a cross-sectional cohort study to determine the association between WBC count and the presence of macro- and microvascular
complications in type 2 diabetes.
RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS —In this study, 3,776 patients with type 2 diabetes and normal WBC count (3.5–12.5 × 10 9 /l) underwent a comprehensive assessment of complications and cardiovascular risk factors based on the European DiabCare protocol.
Demographic and anthropometric parameters were recorded. Metabolic profiles, including complete blood picture and urinary
albumin excretion, were measured.
RESULTS —Patients with higher WBC counts (categorized into quintiles) had adverse metabolic profiles as evidenced by higher blood
pressure, BMI, HbA 1c , fasting plasma glucose, LDL cholesterol, triglycerides, and urinary albumin excretion, but lower HDL cholesterol (all P <0.001 for trend). The prevalence of macro- and microvascular complications increased in a dosage-related manner with WBC
count. After adjustments for smoking and other known cardiovascular risk factors, a 1-unit (1 × 10 9 /l) increment of WBC count was associated with a 15.8% (95% CI 9.3–22.6; P < 0.001) and 12.3% increase (5.8–19.1; P < 0.001) in the prevalence of macro- and microvascular complications, respectively.
CONCLUSIONS —Elevated WBC count, even within the normal range, is associated with both macro- and microvascular complications in type
2 diabetes. Chronic inflammation, as indicated by a higher WBC count, may play a linkage role in the development of macro-
and microvascular complications in diabetes.
TG, triglyceride
TGF-β1, transforming growth factor-β1
UAE, urinary albumin excretion
WBC, white blood cell
WHR, waist-to-hip ratio
Footnotes
A table elsewhere in this issue shows conventional and Système International (SI) units and conversion factors for many substances.
Accepted October 5, 2003.
Received July 6, 2003.
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