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Comparative evaluation of blood viscosity in diabetic retinopathy
Insights
Diabetic patients show higher blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen levels compared to non-diabetics. Increased plasma and serum viscosity are linked to diabetic retinopathy severity.
Area of Science:
- Biomedical science
- Hematology
- Ophthalmology
Background:
- Diabetes mellitus is a systemic disease with microvascular complications.
- Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading cause of vision loss.
- Changes in blood rheology may contribute to DR pathogenesis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate rheological parameters in diabetic patients with and without retinopathy.
- To compare whole blood, plasma, and serum viscosity, hematocrit, and plasma fibrinogen levels.
Main Methods:
- Cross-sectional study comparing three groups: non-diabetic controls (C), diabetics without retinopathy (D), and diabetics with retinopathy (DR).
- Measurements included whole blood viscosity, plasma viscosity, serum viscosity, hematocrit, and plasma fibrinogen.
Main Results:
- Diabetics exhibited significantly higher whole blood viscosity than controls.
- Plasma viscosity was elevated in DR patients (P < 0.01) compared to controls.
- Serum viscosity increased in proliferative retinopathy.
- Plasma fibrinogen was higher in both D and DR groups versus controls.
- Hematocrit showed no significant differences across groups.
Conclusions:
- Elevated blood viscosity and plasma fibrinogen are associated with diabetes.
- Increased plasma and serum viscosity correlate with the presence and severity of diabetic retinopathy.
- Rheological alterations may play a role in the development and progression of DR.
Abstract:
The viscosity of the whole blood, plasma and serum, haematocrit and plasma fibrinogen were studied in diabetic patients with (DR) and without (D) retinopathy and in non-diabetic control subjects (C). Blood viscosity was significantly higher in diabetics than in controls. No significant differences in viscosity of the whole blood were found when various types of retinopathy were compared according to the severity of retinal damage. Plasma viscosity was significantly higher (P less than 0.01) than controls (C) only in diabetic patients with retinopathy (DR). Serum viscosity was significantly increased compared with controls (C) only in diabetic patients affected by proliferative retinopathy. Plasma fibrinogen was significantly higher than controls (C) both in diabetics with retinopathy (DR) and without retinopathy (D). Haematocrit did not show a significant difference in the three groups considered (C, D, DR).