Altered RBC deformability in diabetes: clinical characteristics and RBC pathophysiology
Authors' conclusion
Findings suggest impaired RBCD incurs similar demographic and clinical risk factors as diabetic vascular disease, with early pathophysiological RBC changes indicative of disordered RBC hydration in diabetes. Findings provide strong evidence for disordered oxygen release as a functional consequence of reduced RBCD.
Study context
- Population
- Participants in a well-controlled diabetes cohort and nondiabetic controls at the National Institutes of Health
- Participants
- 81 vs 78
- Exposure
- Diabetes cohort vs nondiabetic controls
- Diabetesn = 81
- Nondiabetic controlsn = 78reference
- Outcome
- Shear stress-gradient RBC deformability (RBCD) measures (ektacytometry)
Methodological detailsoutpatient
- Outpatient
Main finding
As reported in the abstract
- All shear-stress gradient red blood cell deformability (RBCD) measures significantly altered in diabetes vs nondiabetic controls, even after adjustment for confounding covariates
- p < 0.001
Observational data: associations, not effects.
Further findings
Predictors of reduced RBCD (adjusted for diabetes status and demographic factors)
- Older age, Black race, male gender, hyperglycemia and vascular complications were significant predictors of reduced RBCD
- all p < 0.05
Osmotic-gradient parameters
- Reduced RBCD associated with aberrant osmotic-gradient parameters; left-shift on osmotic gradient profile indicative of dehydrated RBCs in diabetes
Structure-function relationship
- Reduced RBCD associated with reduced osmotic fragility
- P < 0.001
- Reduced RBCD associated with increased hemoglobin-oxygen dissociation
- P < 0.01
Original publication
Altered RBC deformability in diabetes: clinical characteristics and RBC pathophysiology. Cardiovasc Diabetol. Published 18 October 2024. doi:10.
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