Association of Diabetes Mellitus with ABO and Rh Blood Groups

Objective: To find out the association of diabetes mellitus with ABO and Rh blood groups. Study Design: Study Place and Duration: This study was conducted at Pakistan Railway General Hospital Rawalpindi, Pakistan, from January to March 2011. Materials Methods: during the year 2011, involving 201 patients with Diabetes Mellitus. The controls were taken from blood bank record of non-diabetic patients and healthy donors in same population. Blood samples were collected, labeled and sent to laboratory for identification of blood group. Results: Our study shows a higher percentage of blood group AB in the diabetic group (14.92%) as compared to controls (9.87%). Blood groups A and B were less common in diabetic group as compared to controls (20.37% vs. 27.4% and 28.86% vs. 33.05% respectively). Blood group O had same distribution among both groups. Rh negative blood group is more frequent in Diabetic group (12.44% vs. 7.73%). Conclusion: We conclude that there was an association between Rh - negative blood groups and Diabetes Mellitus. There is a negative association between blood groups A and B, as these groups were less common in diabetics.