Six-year follow-up study on the association between white blood cell count and fasting blood glucose level in Chinese adults: A community-based health examination survey

Abstract

Background: Pre-diabetes is considered to be an important reversible stage of type 2 diabetes (T2DM); thus, early identification of pre-diabetes may help in the prevention of T2DM. This study aimed to explore the relationship between white blood cell (WBC) counts and the cumulative risk of impaired fasting glucose (IFG) regulation at 6 years. Methods: A community-based health examination survey was conducted among individuals who were randomly selected from 1300 residents living in China in 2010 to 2016. The participants were divided into four groups according to WBC baseline level. This study initially conducted a cross-sectional analysis of the population who underwent physical examination to explore the relationship between WBC count and FBG levels. Then, a follow-up study was conducted on the population who underwent IFG normal physical examination to explore the relationship between baseline WBC count and changes in FBG levels and the cumulative risk of 6-year IFG. Results: During the 6-year cohort follow-up, 17.2% of the participants developed IFG, and the cumulative incidence rates of IFG in the four groups were 14.7%, 16.3%, 15.8%, and 22.2%. By Cox multiple regression equation the hazard ratio (HR) of the IFG increased by 18.7% for each additional unit of baseline WBC count with no adjustment of any factor. After adjusting factors, HR increased by 8.4%. Conclusion: Increased WBC counts are associated with risk of IFG, suggesting chronic inflammation may be involved in the development and progression of IFG.