Abnormal erythrocyte survival in patients with myotonic dystrophy

In four of six patients with myotonic dystrophy whom we studied 51Cr labeled erythrocytes were found to have a biphasic survival kinetic. After in initial significantly more rapid disappearance than in controls, about 80% of the labeled cells reappeared in circulation, and were thereafter eliminated at a significantly faster rate than normal. This type of biphasic survival pattern may partly be related to reduced sialic acid concentration of the erythrocyte membrane in patients with this disease.