Erythrocyte morphology in metabolic syndrome.

The study of erythrocyte morphology is of great importance in the field of hemorheology as the deformability of the circulating cells has a fundamental influence on the rheological properties of the blood. Diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia and obesity (mostly central obesity) are the major components of metabolic syndrome. In this review, we focus on the changes in erythrocyte morphology in different components of metabolic syndrome and also discuss the erythrocyte morphology in regards to oxidative stress - a common state of chronic diseases. This article also addresses the problem of inconsistency in the use of nomenclature and technique to identify the abnormal morphology and we recommend the use of standard terminology by all authors.

Prevalence of anemia and risk of adverse bleeding effect of drugs: implication for therapy.

This study aimed to evaluate the progress in reduction of prevalence of anemia in rural Australia. It also investigates the prevalence of hypoviscosity in anaemia with a view to determine the fraction of anaemic patients at risk of drug-inducible exacerbation of anemia. Archived clinical pathology data (N = 130, 354) for the period of 1999 to 2008 were utilized. The prevalence of anemia and hypoviscosity was evaluated by working out (i) the number that fell within anemia definition as a percentage of the population and (ii) the number that fell within hypoviscosity definition as a percentage of anemic patients. The prevalence in anemic diabetes and dyslipidaemia was further determined. There was progressive reduction in anemia from 6.1% to 3.2% over the ten years period. Prevalence of anemia is statistically significantly higher in males than in females (P < 0.0001), but protein level is lower in anemic females than in anemic males (P < 0.01). The results further show that up to 75% of anemic patients may benefit from NSAID or salicylates. This paper highlights differences between genders. It suggests more concerted effort in men's health and speculates a new factor to investigate in women's health.