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Published on: April 1, 2015
Enhanced erythrocyte aggregation in type 2 diabetes with late complications
H Demiroglu1, A Gürlek, I Barişta
1Hacettepe University School of Medicine, Department of Hematology, Ankara, Turkey.
Summary
Erythrocyte aggregation (EA) is significantly higher in type 2 diabetes patients with complications, regardless of metabolic control. This enhanced EA may contribute to diabetic complications, but its role as a cause or effect requires further study.
Area of Science:
- Cardiovascular Medicine
- Hematology
- Endocrinology
Background:
- Type 2 diabetes is associated with microvascular and macrovascular complications.
- Erythrocyte aggregation (EA) is a hemorheological parameter potentially linked to diabetic complications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if erythrocyte aggregation (EA) is enhanced in type 2 diabetic patients with microvascular or macrovascular complications.
- To determine the relationship between EA, diabetic complications, and metabolic control.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed EA rates at high and low shear rates in 141 type 2 diabetic patients and 124 healthy controls.
- Subdivided patients into four groups based on complication status and metabolic control.
- Compared EA rates across groups and correlated with fibrinogen levels.
Main Results:
- Patients with clinically evident late diabetic complications (Groups 2 and 4) showed significantly higher EA than controls and well-controlled patients (Group 1).
- Poorly controlled patients without complications (Group 3) had higher EA than controls but lower than those with complications.
- No significant correlation was found between EA and fibrinogen levels.
Conclusions:
- Enhanced erythrocyte aggregation is present in type 2 diabetes patients with clinically evident late complications, irrespective of metabolic control.
- The findings suggest that enhanced EA may play a role in the development of diabetic complications.
- Further research is needed to clarify whether enhanced EA is a primary cause or a secondary consequence of these complications.
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