Correlation of hemoglobin A1c with blood viscosity and peripheral arterial blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus / 上海交通大学学报（医学版）

ABSTRACT

Objective • To investigate the relationship of hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) with blood viscosity and peripheral arterial blood flow in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods • A total of 345 patients with T2DM were divided into four groups according to the HbA1c levels group A (HbA1c<7.0%, 79 cases), group B (7.0% ≤ HbA1c<8.5%, 94 cases), group C (8.5% ≤ HbA1c<10.0%, 95 cases) and group D (HbA1c ≥ 10.0%, 77 cases). All patients were tested for blood glucose, HbA1c, blood viscosity and peripheral arterial ultrasound. Spearman and Pearson correlation as well as stepwise multivariate regression analyses were performed to analyze the data. Results • The whole blood viscosities at 1/s, 5/s, 30/s and 200/s shear rates of group B, C and D (HbA1c ≥ 7%) were significantly higher than those of group A (HbA1c<7.0%). The high shear reduction viscosities of group C and D (HbA1c ≥ 8.5%) were significantly higher than those of group A and B (HbA1c<8.5%). Spearman correlation analysis demonstrated that HbA1c was positively correlated with whole blood viscosities at 5/s, 30/s and 200/s shear rates and high shear reduction viscosity (HSRV) (P<0.05). In stepwise multivariate regression analysis, HbA1c had positive correlations with the whole blood viscosities at 5/s, 30/s and 200/s shear rates and HSRV after being adjusted for other factors (P<0.05). HbA1c showed significantly negative correlations with the left and right internal carotid arterial inner diameters after being corrected for relevant factors (P<0.05). Conclusion • The blood HbA1c levels in T2DM patients are positively correlated with blood viscosity, and HSRV, and negatively correlated with left and right internal carotid arterial inner diameters, but have no significant correlation with peripheral arterial blood flow velocity.