Prevalence of Low Hemoglobin Among Type 2 Diabetes and Its Association With Nephropathy and Retinopathy at a Tertiary Care Centre – A Cross Sectional Study

Background: Anemia is a common but often underrecognized comorbidity in individuals with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (T2DM), potentially contributing to microvascular complications such as nephropathy and retinopathy. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of low hemoglobin (anemia) in T2DM and evaluate its association with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Materials And Methods: A hospital-based crosssectional study was conducted over six months (October 2023–March 2024) in the Department of General Medicine at a tertiary care teaching hospital. A total of 100 T2DM patients aged ≥30 years were enrolled using simple random sampling. Demographic and clinical data, hemoglobin levels, serum creatinine, UACR, eGFR, and fundus findings were collected. Anemia was assessed using an automated hematology analyzer. Diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy were defined based on UACR >30 mg/g, reduced eGFR, and abnormal fundus examination. Statistical analysis was performed using the Chi-square test with p < 0.05 considered significant. Results: Out of 100 T2DM patients, 78% had low hemoglobin. Among those with diabetic nephropathy (n=94), 78 had low hemoglobin (p=0.0003). Similarly, among those with retinopathy (n=96), 78 had low hemoglobin (p=0.0012). The association of low hemoglobin with both nephropathy and retinopathy was statistically significant. Conclusion: The prevalence of low hemoglobin is high among T2DM patients and is significantly associated with diabetic nephropathy and retinopathy. Routine screening and management of anemia may be beneficial in mitigating the progression of microvascular complications in diabetes.