Plasma viscosity in nephrotic Nigerians

A simple and reproducible 'syringe viscometer' method was used to determine plasma viscosity, an important haemorheological parameter, in 27 (14 M, 13 F) nephrotic Nigerian patients. The plasma fibrinogen (PFC) and immunoglobulin levels (IgG, IgM, IgA) were also determined in these patients. Similar determinations were carried out in 30 (15 M, 15 F) age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects for comparison. The nephrotic patients had significantly higher relative plasma viscosity (RPV), PFC and IgM levels (2.02+/-0.17 vs. 1.66+/-0.19, 6.48+/-2.59 vs. 2.26+/-0.91 g/l; 316.2+/-169.0 vs. 186.0+/-59.5 IU/ml, p < 0.001, respectively). However, IgG and IgA levels were significantly less (151.1+/-88.7 vs. 205.7+/-77.6 IU/ml, p < 0.05, and 95.8+/-41.5 vs. 127.3+/-31.3 IU/ml, p < 0.01, respectively). In the nephrotic patients, plasma fibrinogen and IgM levels had a significant positive correlation with RPV (r=0.444, p < 0.05, and r=0.452, p < 0.02, respectively). The observed increased plasma viscosity in our nephrotic patients could on the long term predispose them to increased risk for cardiovascular morbidity.