Association Between Glycated Hemoglobin (HbA1c) Levels in Patients With Iron Deficiency Anemia in a Tertiary Care Hospital in Central India.

Background Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) and diabetes are prevalent health concerns, especially in regions like India. While previous studies have explored the relationship between glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels and IDA, there is still inconsistency in the findings, particularly in the Indian population. Understanding this association is crucial for accurate diagnosis and management of both conditions. Materials and methods A case-control study was conducted at the Department of General Medicine at Acharya Vinoba Bhave Rural Hospital (AVBRH), Wardha, India, from May 2022 to October 2022. A total of 141 non-diabetic patients with IDA (study group) and 141 age- and gender-matched non-anemic controls were included. HbA1c levels were measured at baseline and after three months of IDA treatment. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS software, including the Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Chi-square test, Mann-Whitney test, and Pearson correlation coefficient. Results In the study group, HbA1c levels significantly increased from a mean of 4.63% at baseline to 5.82% after IDA treatment (p < 0.0001). However, there was no significant correlation between changes in hemoglobin (Hb) levels and HbA1c levels post-correction (r = 0.056, p = 0.510). In addition, all cases and controls were labeled non-diabetic based on a cutoff HbA1c level of 6%. After three months of IDA treatment, 80.85% of cases recovered from IDA. Conclusion The study highlights that HbA1c levels are lower in patients with IDA and may increase with the correction of IDA. However, there is no significant direct correlation between IDA correction and HbA1c increase. Therefore, when interpreting HbA1c levels, clinicians must consider the presence of IDA, especially in regions with high prevalence rates of both IDA and diabetes, like India. This understanding can improve management strategies for both conditions, ensuring better patient health outcomes.