Blood viscosity in diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

Eight five diabetics and 25 normal controls of matched age and sex were studied. Estimation of the whole blood viscosity by using the U-shaped viscometer tube was made. Significantly higher blood viscosity was a constant feature for diabetics. Correlation of viscosity to diabetic complications and type of diabetes was carried out. Hyperlipidemia, hyperfibrinogenaemia, increased alpha[2] and beta globulins showed a linear relation to the blood viscosity. Conclusions were reached that the estimation of blood viscosity in diabetics is a rapid, simple and reliable prognostic test for diabetics especially in complicated cases