Association of Total and Differential White Blood Cell Counts to Development of Type 2 Diabetes in Mexican Americans in Cameron County Hispanic Cohort

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the relationship between total and differential White Blood Cells (WBC) counts with time to transition to type 2 diabetes in Mexican Americans using prospective data from the Cameron County Hispanic Cohort (CCHC). Results: Multivariable Cox proportional hazards regression models revealed that obese Mexican- American cohort participants whose total WBC count or granulocyte count increased over time had 1.39 times higher risk and 1.35 times higher risk respectively of transition to type 2 diabetes when compared to overweight participants. The granulocyte or total WBC count in participants with BMI>=35 were significant risk factors for transition to type 2 diabetes. Conclusions: Increased total WBC and WBC differential counts, particularly lymphocytes
and granulocytes, are associated with risk of transition to type 2 diabetes in obese Mexican Americans, after adjusting for other potential confounders. Screening and monitoring the WBC counts, including lymphocytes and granulocytes can help with monitoring potential transition to type 2 diabetes.